'The most BADASS story' Teen survives SHARK ATTACK after punching underwater beast
A TEENAGE girl has survived a shark attack by punching the giant beast.
Ferocious shark savages seal to tourist's delight
Quick-thinking Caitlyn Taylor was repeatedly bitten as she swam in the Gulf of Mexico off Destin, Florida.
The 17-year-old softball player was in the state with her family to play a match - but was left needing 80 stitches in her leg following the horror attack.
Six puncture wounds were sewn up by emergency services.
Miss Taylor, from Louisville, Kentucky, was able to "drive the shark away" with punches, Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office said.
Pictures uploaded to the internet show large teeth marks in the teenager's legs, around her knees.
Girl punched shark in the Gulf of Mexico as it bit her legs
The soft ball player was bitten all over her legs by the shark
Shark swam up to teenager and bit her legs in Florida
Some appear to have punctured the skin while others grazed Miss Taylor's legs, leaving scratch marks.
The sheriff's department said: "A 17 year old Kentucky girl was bitten on the leg by a five foot-long shark while swimming in the Gulf near the second sandbar in Destin this afternoon.
“She initially thought it was a dolphin in the water. It was in a wave headed towards her. She says it took her by the legs [and] tugged on her.
"She was taken to FWB Medical Center for treatment.
"She was swimming behind Sundestin condominiums at the time."
Shark bites across woman's leg after she was bitten in Destin, Florida
Miss Taylor tweeted: "Beyond lucky to be alive and well and thank you to everyone for the support and wishes and I'm going to be okay, love you guys."
Her sister Paige Taylor added: “It was such a traumatising event out there and I’m so lucky to still have my sister who is so strong and a such a fighter.”
A friend said: “Honestly one of the most amazing survival stories out there. So glad you're okay.”
Ryan Boyle wrote: “Glad that you are okay, but this is officially the most badass story anyone could ever have in their life.”
Beyond lucky to be alive and well and thank you to everyone for the support and wishes and I'm going to be okay, love you guys❤❤❤ pic.twitter.com/wm6wVryVzw
— Caitlyn Taylor (@cbt212) April 3, 2017
It is not clear which type of shark attacked.
According to national data in the US there were 30 shark attacks in Florida in 2016.
Deputies in Flordia said Miss Taylor will require some stitches but the injury is fairly minor.