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[Vengeance]

 Shark leaves tooth in girl's foot

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HILTON HEAD ISLAND, South Carolina (AP) -- A 7-year-old girl from Missouri was bitten by a shark while playing in two feet of water, Beaufort County deputies said.

The girl suffered puncture wounds to her foot and buttocks in the attack Wednesday afternoon, but the injuries were not life threatening, deputies said.

Lifeguards and others on the beach first thought the girl had been stung by a stingray, but the doctor who treated her found a shark tooth embedded in her foot, authorities said.

The girl is the daughter of Amy B. Wallis of Ballwin, Missouri, according to deputies, who did not have the child's name.

Sharks often get closer to shore as the ocean waters warm and the bait fish they eat get closer to the beach, said Al Stokes, manager of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources' Waddell Mariculture Center.

An average of three shark bites are reported on South Carolina beaches each year, said Charles Farmer, a 38-year veteran of the natural resources department who wrote a book about sharks.

The last fatal shark attack off Hilton Head occurred in 1883, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[Supermercado]

No danger in that. I've been here over a year and I've not been to the beach once.

[elmono311]

Too many tourists?

[LostArtofRolando]

Other than band, I never saw John out in the sun....

[Supermercado]

There's a lot of tourists, yes. Traffic is a pain in the ass both here in Bluffton and on the island. It's a nightmare to go anywhere.

I got plenty of sun in band, thank you very much For serious, though, camping.

[jitspoe]

Geek Sighted at Beach
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HILTON HEAD ISLAND, South Carolina (AP) -- Officials estimate over $4,000 worth of damage from panic-stricken, blinded tourists and beach regulars.  It's a rare sight, but it does happen every once in a while: a geek shows up at the beach.

"My eyes!  The goggles do nothing!" cried one child, whose protective swimwear did nothing to protect him from the glare.  Those fortunate enough to be wearing industrial strength sunglasses stared in disbelief while other beachgoers scattered, blinded by the reflective, white flesh, searching for cover or simply screaming in agony.

"I thought I was looking into the sun," said Jill, "Somebody tripped over me while I was sunbathing.  I looked up to see what the commotion was about and saw a bright light.  I was confused because it was on the sand, but then I couldn't see any more, so I figured I must have just been disoriented."

On average, 2 geeks are sighted on the beaches of South Carolina every year.  While it's not a common occurrence, you should always be prepared.  Help keep the beaches safe.  Wear your sunglasses.

[Supermercado]

I believe I have just been insulted. *scratches head*

[elmono311]

Nothing like getting a famous Simpsons quote in there