(NewsNation) — A Florida man has described the feeling of being bitten by a shark during a routine surf at New Smyrna Beach.
Matthew Bender joined “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” to discuss the ordeal that has left him without feeling in the back of his hand.
Despite his current predicament, a full recovery is possible — a remarkable reality given his forearm was in a shark’s mouth over the holiday weekend.
“Feeling so blessed to have my life, my arm, the use of my hand, and potentially, a full recovery,” Bender said.
“It could be totally inconsequential,” he said of the injuries. “Aside from some scars, I just feel super grateful. Thank you, Lord.”
Bender said that as he paddled back out for his third wave, he felt a “very hard” and forceful bite.
“By the time I looked down, it was gone, and all I saw was red, and I knew I was bitten by a shark even before I looked down, and I knew, OK, I went into business mode, like, got to get back to the beach.”
Bender received help from a 16-year-old surfer and her father on the shore, with the latter calling 911, before other friends came to help.
“I was trying to keep trying to keep the arteries from gushing,” Bender said, remarking that the affected part of his forearm had no skin left.
Bender said a prayer asking God to keep him safe throughout his surf, something he believes was followed through.
“He did keep me safe overall, and I feel like through this whole thing, he is being glorified, because it’s just a miracle that I don’t have any pain in my arm.”
