Jacorey High, 22, was bitten on the left foot and ankle by an estimated four-foot shark while wading near Dunlawton Beach Approach on July 25. He pushed his pregnant fiancée to shore first, then sought help despite heavy bleeding. Beach Safety treated him at the scene and he was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries but significant ligament and tendon damage. A GoFundMe was created to help cover medical costs, and officials urged swimmers to stay near lifeguards and watch for signs like diving birds or bait fish.
Hero at the Shore: Man Pushes Pregnant Fiancée to Safety After Shark Bites His Foot Near Florida Beach
Jacorey High was attacked by a shark in Florida while protecting his pregnant fiancée.Credit: Gofundme
Jacorey High, 22, is being praised for putting his pregnant fiancée's safety first after a shark bit his left foot and ankle while the couple was wading near the Dunlawton Beach Approach in Volusia County, Florida, on July 25.
High said the attack happened as he stood waist-deep in the water. He felt something clamp down on his foot and realized it was a shark. He pushed his partner toward the shore and made sure she was safely on the sand before addressing his own injuries.
"When he let go of my foot, he tried to come up and get my arm and I pushed it away from me," High recounted during an interview on the Today show.
Although the shark continued to follow him briefly, High managed to reach the beach. Once ashore he discovered "a whole lot of blood just pouring out of my foot." Beach Safety personnel treated him on site and he was transported to a nearby hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
Stock image of Great White Shark in the water.Credit: Getty
Injuries and Recovery
Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue Director Tamra Malphurs confirmed the attack occurred just before 5:30 p.m. local time and said the shark was estimated at about four feet long. According to medical updates tied to a GoFundMe set up to help cover his expenses, High suffered extensive ligament and tendon damage to his foot and faces a recovery that may affect his ability to work in the near term.
Response and Safety Advice
Rescue officials praised the quick response of lifeguards and beach safety personnel. Malphurs urged beachgoers to swim near staffed lifeguard towers so help is nearby and to remain alert to natural warning signs, such as birds diving or large schools of bait fish near shore. Those conditions can attract larger marine life and moving to another area until the bait disperses is a simple precaution.
A GoFundMe page has been created to assist High with medical bills and recovery-related expenses. Despite significant blood loss and pain, High ran for help to get immediate attention after the attack.
Note: Shark attacks remain rare, but officials recommend awareness and simple precautions to reduce risk while enjoying the beach.
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