Man bitten by shark during beach vacation with family, authorities say

SUNSET BEACH, N.C. (WECT/Gray News) – A man vacationing with his family was hospitalized after likely having been bitten by a shark Wednesday morning, according to the Sunset Beach Fire Department.

Sean Barton, 26, was visiting southeastern North Carolina from New Mexico when he was bitten by something in the surf and needed 11 stitches in his leg.

His family said they saw a shark swimming nearby after he was injured. Barton said he knew something wasn’t right when he felt an intense pain.

“Just got done riding an epic wave and then felt a shark or something bite my leg, and at that moment I was like I think I just got bit by a shark, and I didn’t see anything and I just kind of turned and immediately started running, tried to get into shore as quickly as I could,” Barton said.

Doctors at the hospital confirmed Barton’s wound looked like a shark bite.

Barton said the bite won’t prevent him from getting in the water, but he will be more aware of potential dangers.

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