Florida Man Attacked by Shark on Same Beach He Was Bitten 11 Years Ago, Injury This Time Was 'Worse'

For a Florida man, surfing with his friends turned into a nightmare as for the second time he got bitten by sharks on the same beach after 11 years. 28-year-old, Cole Taschman was surfing in Bathtub Beach with his friends and girlfriend when a shark attacked him, PEOPLE reported.

A seven or eight-foot tiger or bull shark suddenly came up behind him and bit his feet. Taschman was at the same beach around eleven years ago, then aged 16, and got bitten by a four to five-foot-long blacktip reef shark.

Taschman saved himself 11 years ago by using his surfboard to hit the shark's head, and escaping from the situation, PEOPLE reported. The then-teenager got injuries on his arm and had to be treated with 12 stitches and a cast. This time, he had his friends to turn to during the shark attack. 

"He came up behind me, and as he bit me, I looked behind me and saw him on me," Taschman shared about the incident, TCPalm reported. "I just screamed at (friends) Hunter (Roland) and Zach (Bucolo)." They were already rushing toward him, and the victim located and rode an incoming wave, which helped him get away from the beast.

He caught up with his friends, who took him to the shore. The group used surfboard leashes to stop the bleeding. 

The friends took him to Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital in Stuart for treatment, PEOPLE reported. Taschman was grateful for how his friends and partner reacted during the whole situation.

"Ana [Tachman's girlfriend] is in the back, slapping me, and Zach is driving like a madman trying to get me to the hospital. He’s dumping water on my head. They kept me awake, so thank God,” he reminisced.

After his accident, Taschman urged others to always go surfing with a group for their safety, PEOPLE reported. "It's freaky," he said of the experience. "You know, it changes you ... So definitely don't surf alone." 

On being asked to compare the two accidents, the victim stated that despite happening in the same location, both incidents were fundamentally different, WPTV reported. "There's no comparison," Taschman said. "It's like comparing an Olympic athlete to a high school athlete like, you know, the amount of trauma. It's so hectic how much worse this one was."

Ana Peci, the victim's girlfriend has opened a GoFundMe page to help Taschman with further treatments. She wrote in the caption, "He does not have health insurance and had to undergo two surgeries by Dr. Borrego at Saint Mary's Medical Center to repair 3 tendons, received 93 stitches and many staple stitches as well. He is a local captain loved in the community and won't be able to work for 3 months to recover from his attack. He is currently wheelchair-bound and has a long road to recovery. Please help him stay on his feet (no pun intended) and cover medical costs."