Two shark attacks in two hours leave three in hospital as urgent warning issued
Police vehicles were seen in and around the water, and officers spotted a hammerhead shark lurking below the waves
Walton County Sheriff
Beachgoers have been warned to stay alert after two shark attacks in as many hours left a trio of swimmers hospitalised with a range of injuries.
Over just a four-mile stretch of coastline in Florida, the marine maulings left one woman having part of her arm amputated - while a pair of teen girls were left with multiple injuries, according to local emergency services.
The first attack, at just after 1pm local time, saw a roughly 45-year-old woman attacked by a shark near WaterSound Beach in Florida's Walton County.
Fire officials said the victim sustained "critical injuries" to her lower left arm and hip - and needed to be airlifted to hospital.
Police vehicles were seen in and around the water, and officers spotted a hammerhead shark lurking below the waves
Walton County Sheriff
Local fire chief Ryan Crawford later confirmed at a press conference that part of said arm required amputation.
Then, just over an hour and a half later, another shark attack saw a pair of about 15-year-old girls injured at Seacrest Beach.
A Walton County Sheriff's statement confirmed authorities were on alert and "monitoring the shoreline" following the brace of attacks.
It said: "Deputies spotted a 14-foot hammerhead east of South County Highway 395 in Santa Rosa Beach this morning from the boat - which is NOT uncommon.
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South Walton Fire District had raised the alert after the double attack
South Walton Fire District
"We want to reiterate that sharks are always present in the Gulf... Swimmers and beachgoers should be cautious when swimming and stay aware of their surroundings.
"South Walton Fire District is flying red and purple flags in Walton County out of an abundance of caution."
The consecutive attacks in such a localised area is quite the statistical anomaly; the University of Florida's International Shark Attack File states that there are just 70 to 100 shark attacks every year around the world - and five deaths.
Last year, humans were attacked unprovoked by sharks 69 times - while 22 more bites came after people had provoked the animals.
The Bay County Sheriff's Office suggested the sharks may have been attracted to the area by schools of small fish swimming near the shoreline at this time of year.
And alongside the number of attacks, their time - mid-afternoon - was also an anomaly, Walton County's Sheriff Michael Adkinson said.
A South Walton Fire District statement read: "As we move forward from Friday's incidents, we continue to wish the best for the families and all involved, including the bystanders who selflessly rendered aid.
"We take our role in this community very seriously but also recognise we are effective directly because of you and your support. "Let's continue to lift up those who were impacted as well as the responding personnel by treating all with dignity and respect."
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