Shark Bites Aquarium Employee

A blacktip reef shark took a bite out the Virginia Aquarium Curator of Fishes on Thursday, sending the woman to the hospital with a large chunk out her leg.

The 10-year-old, 120 pound shark, named Tidbit, was undergoing her annual physical and was not recovering well from sedation when the shark whipped around and bit Beth Firchau on her shin. She needed stitches and may need plastic surgery.

Tidbit had been lured from the large display tank where she has lived for 10 years and was being held in a smaller holding tank at the time of the incident. Firchau and George were standing in the tank holding on to Tidbit and trying to move oxygen over the gills of the shark to wake her up.

Eventually the shark released its grip, and Firchau was rushed to Sentara General Beach Hospital. Coworkers say she is resting comfortably and is in good spirits.

[source]