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Shark Bites Leg of Man Spearfishing Off Florida Keys

Video shows an 8-foot shark charging Simpson, leaving a 3-inch gash below his left knee

A man said sharks are "a superior hunter" after being bitten by one while spearfishing in Florida.

Parker Simpson of Key West posted a video to YouTube of his encounter with a reef shark Sunday in the waters off the Florida Keys, according to The Citizen.

Simpson was spearfishing in 50 feet of water about 6 miles off Key West, the southernmost city in the continental U.S.

The video shows an 8-foot shark charging Simpson, leaving a 3-inch gash below his left knee.

This video may be too graphic for some viewers and contains some strong language.

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Simpson swam to his friends' boat, which took him to land. The 23-year-old got 50 stitches in his leg at a hospital and is walking with crutches.

Simpson said sharks are "a superior hunter and I still love them."

The diver created a Gofundme page to help cover the costs of his medical bills, writing, "At this point I'll be swimming in debt rather than with the fishies!"

By Thursday night, the page had raised $310 out of Simpson's $10,000 goal.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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