Surfer bitten by shark at St. Augustine Beach

37-year-old man in waist-deep water when bitten on foot

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. – A 37-year-old surfer was bitten on the foot Thursday morning at St. Augustine Beach by what was believed to be a small shark, according to St. Johns County Fire-Rescue.

Andrew Birchall said he did not see the shark, but the wound pattern was consistent with a shark bite, rescuers said.

Birchall was in waist-deep water near A Street about 11:30 a.m. when he was bitten. Friends carried him to shore, where a person walking a dog had a cell phone and called 911.

Birchall told deputies he had just finished riding a wave when he felt the shark bite down on his foot and pull. He said it then released him.

Birchall was taken to Flagler Hospital in stable condition. Doctors are doing surgery to remove a tooth left in his foot and will take steps to prevent infection.

Birchall's parents say he was born and raised in St. Augustine and has surfed since he was 10 years old.