Virginia woman survives Florida shark attack, loses hand

A Richmond-area woman was one of three people injured in separate shark attacks in Florida this weekend.

The big picture: Local officials say a shark bit Elisabeth Foley, a mother of three from Ashland, in her midsection and caused her to lose her left hand.

• Local TV station WJHG reports she's in stable condition .
• Winn's Baptist, Foley's church in Glen Allen, has started an online fundraiser to help in her recovery.
• Her husband, Ryan, told the church that she was "hanging in there and has a super positive attitude," per WTVR .

State of play: Elisabeth was the first attack on Friday that authorities responded to around 1:15pm, according to the Walton County's Sheriff's Office .

• Less than two hours later at another Walton County beach a few miles away, a shark bit two teenagers in waist-deep water, per AL.com .
• One lost her left hand and part of her leg. The other had minor injuries.

Between the lines: Shark attacks are extremely rare, but the South Walton Fire District on X asked beachgoers on Sunday to be "situationally aware in the water" and "look out for each other."