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What Chomped Down On Man's Calf Behind South Beach Hotel?

MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) — A man is recovering after an attack behind a South Beach hotel.

The attack happened on Saturday afternoon, as a man was swimming behind the area of 22nd and Collins, according to Miami Beach Fire Chief Javier Otero.

The man was surrounded by a school of tarpons when he felt something bite his calf.

His daughter watched in horror as her father's blood pooled into the water. The girl's mom pulled her away from the gruesome scene.

The daughter also watched as Beachgoer Hilario Herrera sprung into action.

"We started hearing somebody yell 'Help!' I see a man swimming and he's covered full of blood. Me and my manager were the first ones so we ran over there," Herrera said.

"Once we pulled him out, I seen he was bitten on his legs and he was bleeding...he was really bleeding," Herrera said.

Herrera took off his shirt, wrapped it around the man's wound and used his belt as a tourniquet.

The man was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where Spokeswoman Lorraine Nelson said the man is in stable condition.

It is not known whether he is a local or a tourist.

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