Gulf Shores visitor had minor cut

GULF SHORES, Ala. (WALA) - Gulf Shores officials said they still aren't sure if a man was bitten by a shark on Wednesday.

FOX10 News got in touch with one of the first responders that treated the man.

Lifeguard Michael Osborn was at Gulf State Park on Wednesday afternoon when he got a call and sped over.

Osborn said, "It actually came over the radio as a shark attack, so that's why we responded so quick."

He soon found a man with an injury on his lower leg. City officials said the victim is a 31 year old man visiting from Germany.

Officials said the man told first responders he was swimming in waist deep water when he believed he saw fins coming toward him. He then was injured and called for help.

Osborn said, "After I got there and saw it, it wasn't that bad. It was about a half inch wide, maybe three inches long, and an eighth of an inch deep which the bleeding had already stopped. So it was not that big of a deal."

The man was treated at a hospital and released.

City officials said it could've been an animal or floating debris.

Osborn rules out the second theory.

Osborn said, "There's no structure in the water that way. So, him getting cut on a nail didn't happen."

City officials said the Gulf is filled with all sorts of wildlife, and some are potentially dangerous.

A city spokesman is thankful that the man is ok, and he also says this serves as a reminder that swimmers need to be careful out there.

A Gulf Shores spokesman said if there is a confirmed shark attack, officials would tell the public and clear the area. They would also contact marine wildlife agencies.