July 9, 2009, 4:15 pm
A woman was bitten by a shark as she swam near a sandbar in Biscayne National Park Saturday afternoon.
The bite, while severe, was not life-threatening, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials.
''It took a big chunk out of her leg, but luckily missed an artery,'' said Lt. Arnold Piedrahita, a spokesman.
The 43-year-old woman, whose name was not released, was celebrating the holiday with friends, swimming and sunbathing on the sandbar.
She felt something bump her leg, and when she looked down, saw she'd been bitten by a nurse shark.
Her friends brought the woman from the sandbar to Homestead Bayfront Park Marina by boat, where they were met by rescuers.
She was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital for treatment, but was said to be stable and talking.
Nurse sharks are common in Florida. Typically, they reside in shallow waters. They can range from two to 13 feet in length and can be dangerous if provoked.
