The 16-year-old was bit by a shark later that day.Witness Aaron Armstrong said Emerald Beach was popular among locals, and that many people were enjoying swimming in the water and celebrating Father's Day on the beach. Doyle Nielsen surfs a wave at New Smyrna Beach in Florida on Sept. It’s like he’s getting his fun reward.”įlorida led the world in shark attacks in 2020, according to CNN, but shark attacks and bites are rare, according to a 2020 USA Today article. “The first couple of days he was in pain, and that wasn’t very much fun,” Lizzy Nielsen said.

He hasn’t been shy about sharing his story. Once the video was circulated online, Doyle was interviewed by Good Morning America, CNN and other news outlets. Teen surfer Doyle Nielsen receives treatment at a hospital in Florida following a shark attack on Sept. “I know that I have a purpose, that God has a plan for each of us and everyone experiences different trials,” Doyle said. “He had angels watching out for him,” she said. She knows that Doyle received divine protection. He got stitches and it turned out alright.”Īn observer happened to catch the Doyle’s shark attack on video and shared it on Instagram.Ī post shared by Sam Scribner time Lizzy Nielsen watches the “scary” video she feels grateful. The lifeguard wrapped it up and we went to the hospital. A lifeguard treats Doyle Nielsen after he was bit by a shark while surfing in Florida on Sept. She thought perhaps there was a sea turtle or horseshoe crab in the sand. She was walking back when she found Doyle with a lifeguard, surrounded by a crowd of people. Lizzy Nielsen didn’t see what happened because she down the beach taking photos of Doyle’s brother. The dorsal fin swam up behind Doyle and took a bite of his arm as he paddled towards a wave. Doyle was bitten on the first day of their trip.

Lizzy Nielsen brought her sons to New Smyrna Beach in Florida for a little surfing trip after Hurricane Larry caused big waves along the east coast. The Nielsen family lives in Woodstock, Georgia, near Atlanta. 6-year-old Latter-day Saint girl forgives shark for attack Parents of shark attack victim counting their blessings

Surfer shark