More info...what a tragedy.
CNN) -- A 14-year-old girl died Saturday in a shark attack while swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, authorities said.
The incident happened about 11:15 a.m. in front of a campground near the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, near Destin, Florida, according to the South Walton Fire District.
The girl lost a leg in the attack and died afterward, said John Fitch of the fire district.
At the time of the attack, the girl and a friend, also 14, were swimming and using "boogie boards" about 200 to 250 yards offshore, said Lt. Frank Owens of the Walton County Sheriff's office.
The friend saw the attack and her friend being dragged under, he said.
Beaches in southern Walton County were closed after the attack and will remain closed for at least the rest of the day, Owens told CNN.
Observers have not seen the shark since the incident, and it's believed to have left the area, he said.
Authorities do not know what kind of shark it was.
Fitch said the shark was about 11 feet long. Owens said he could not confirm that size, but noted that many species swim in the warm waters off the Florida coast.
Although shark sightings are not uncommon there, no one had seen a shark in the area Saturday before the attack occurred, Owens said.
250 yard out? That is way far and I don't believe it.
They are not around during winter break, no need to be overly cautious.