A swimmer is recovering at home after being rushed to the hospital Sunday after he was bitten by a shark at Haulover Beach.



According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue spokesperson Erika Benitez, lifeguards advised swimmers to get out of the water when they became aware of a shark lurking nearby.

While exiting the water, a beachgoer - said to be a man in his late 40's - was bitten in the lower extremities by what appeared to be a 4 to 5-foot bull shark.

"In my 20 years as a lifeguard, this is the first time a person has been bitten here at Haulover Beach, and possibly the first for Miami-Dade County," said MDFR Ocean Rescue Lt. Matt Sparling.



The man was transported to Aventura Hospital in alert and conscious condition, according to Benitez. The bite did require him to undergo surgery.



"Although these incidents are rare, we still ask beachgoers to always be aware of their surroundings," Sparling said. "Always swim near manned lifeguard towers and be sure to always heed all warnings issued by lifeguards."

