Horror images of 'shark bite' wounds after four savaged as urgent warning issued

Four swimmers, including a 10-year-old girl, have been bitten by marine life, likely sharks , in just one week at Virginia Beach. The child victim of the attacks endured a bloody ordeal that necessitated eight stitches.

Her mother, Arryn Van Slyke from Virginia Beach recounted the harrowing experience her daughter faced on June 20 at about 9:20am. Speaking to WAVY , Van Slyke described the moment, saying, "They really weren't that deep. They were probably, like, a little bit above their knees and they were just jumping and then all of a sudden they came running out."

Initially thinking it was a jellyfish sting, Van Slyke's alarm spiked when her daughter Vivienne revealed a gruesome bite mark, prompting her to scream in shock.

Van Slyke recalled, "I looked down at her foot and I see like the whole, like bite mark and then there was one part where like her flesh was showing, so of course I'm like just completely in shock."

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Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene at Sandbridge Beach around 9:30 am, and Vivienne was quickly taken to a local hospital, as confirmed by a city spokesperson.

Vivienne shared with WVEC , "I was trying to keep calm because it's probably the best thing to do but I was pretty scared." Her twin sister, Autumn, who was also in the water, expressed her fear, stating, "I was just shocked and so was scared for her. I was more scared than her!"

The young girl's injuries were severe enough to require eight stitches across the front of her foot, between her first and second toes, with the bite marks forming a half-circle on the top of her foot. Vivienne shared her experience, "It feels fine. I can kind of walk but I just put most of my pressure on my heel."

Although not yet officially confirmed, Van Slyke believes the injury was inflicted by a baby sand shark and relayed that doctors described the injury as a "shark bite laceration."

Van Slyke elaborated on Vivienne's medical check-up, explaining: "They did x-rays to make sure there were no teeth in there and to make sure she didn't have any broken bones, and everything was good on the x-ray."

Discussing his daughter's recovery and outlook on swimming, Van Slyke commented: "She keeps saying she's really lucky that nothing worse happened, but she's unlucky because she got bit by a shark in the first place. They decided they're probably never going in the water at the beach, which we've been there so many times, so it's just crazy that it even happened, but yeah it's really scary."

Cat Watson, Virginia Beach EMS Brigade Chief of Marine Operations, noted that each incident occurred separately, with different timings and at various locations. Local news outlet WTKR reported that two individuals were bitten on June 20, including Vivienne, while another person was bitten on June 23; the timing of the fourth incident remains uncertain.

EMS has clarified that all other individuals involved sustained minor injuries requiring basic first aid. According to EMS, two of the bite victims could leave the beach by themselves, while the others needed hospital transportation.

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Currently, Vivienne is on her way to recovery, but the status of the fourth victim's condition has not been disclosed. Officials cannot confirm the type of animal involved in the biting incidents without a proper medical examination. Watson remarked that such bites are uncommon but urged swimmers to remain vigilant at all times.

Watson advised: "If you see a large group of school of fish swimming in the ocean, we recommend not swimming in the middle of that. Additionally, if you see a pod of dolphins, that's also not safe to go swim [with] the dolphins. You want to respect marine life because it is their home."

To further ensure safety, Virginia Beach EMS suggests swimming close to lifeguard-protected areas and staying alert to potential hazards from other sea creatures. Watson pointed out: "It's not just the possibility of sharks, it could be large schools of fish. It could be pods of dolphins, jellyfish, sea life."

Watson highlighted the importance of keeping a safe distance from individuals fishing on the beach, cautioning swimmers. She emphasized: "Don't swim right next to a fisherman, but maybe give them a little bit of space on either side."

Watson explained: "We do have lifeguards patrolling routinely. So we actually have these red and white, 10-foot tall, two-by-fours that have their 100 blocks painted. So when you do call 911, give that closest marker number that you're at and we'll know exactly where you're at on the beach."

In case of an emergency at sea, contact a lifeguard or call 911.