Florida surfer bitten by shark

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla., July 25 (UPI) -- A 17-year-old surfer was bitten by a shark off the Florida coast Friday, officials said.

The shark bite occurred in the Atlantic Ocean off New Smyrna Beach, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported Friday.

Capt. Scott Petersohn of the Volusia County Beach Patrol said the unidentified victim is from Mims, Fla.

The victim was being transported to a nearby hospital in a private vehicle when he began feeling faint. The driver pulled over and called for an ambulance, Petersohn said.

Shark bites right now "are not really surprising," Petersohn said, noting the recent rains and the large amount of bait fish along the Volusia County coastline.