Shark Attacks Injure Three On Florida's Gulf Coast

Authorities Warn Beachgoers To Exercise Caution

Three people were injured in two separate shark attacks within 90 minutes of each other on Friday at neighboring beaches in Walton County, Florida.

Florida fire officials are still asking beachgoers to exercise caution Sunday after three people were injured Friday in two separate shark attacks.

The first attack happened around 2:30 p.m. ET at Henderson Beach State Park, where a 12-year-old girl was bitten on the leg while swimming about 200 yards offshore.

About an hour and a half later, a 43-year-old man was bitten on the leg while swimming about 100 yards offshore at nearby Navarre Beach.

Both victims were taken to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

The third attack happened around 4:30 p.m. ET at Pensacola Beach, where a 60-year-old man was bitten on the hand while swimming about 50 yards offshore.

The man was also taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials are investigating all three attacks.

In Florida, the majority of shark attacks are by requiem sharks - a family of sharks that like warm seas and include species such as bull sharks or blacktip.

Experts say that shark attacks are rare, but they can happen anywhere in the ocean. They advise swimmers to be aware of their surroundings and to avoid swimming in areas where sharks are known to be present.