FATAL – 28 April 2008 – Troncones, near Ixtapa, Pacific coast, Mexico – surfer attacked

Adrian Ruiz, 24, died from blood loss after being bitten on the leg by a shark while surfing at Troncones beach, near Ixtapa, Pacific coast, Mexico. The incident took place on Monday 28 April 2008.

The public security ministry in the state of Guerrero said in a statement the shark bite opened a 38 cm wound from his hip to his knee, exposing his femur.

"He was rushed in a bystander's vehicle to the military naval hospital, where he died soon after from blood loss," the statement said.

No other details were reported.

Sources:
Reuters

INJURED – 26 April 2008 – New Smyrna Beach, Volusia County, Florida, USA – surfer attacked

A 21-year-old surfer (name not reported) was nipped on the right foot by a shark while surfing at New Smyrna Beach, Volusia County, Florida, USA.

The incident occurred around 9am on Saturday 26 April 2008.

The surfer suffered minor injuries and managed to drive himself to Bert Fish Medical Center.

No other details were reported.

Sources:
Daytona Beach News Journal

FATAL – 25 April 2008 -- Solana Beach, San Diego, California, USA – swimmer attacked

Dave Martin, 66, died from extensive injuries after he was bitten on both legs by what is believed to be a Great White shark. The incident occurred while he was swimming with friends from the Triathlon Club of San Diego around 7am at Solana Beach on Friday, 25 April 2008.

One witness said there was a single bite across both legs.

San Diego County sheriff's Sgt. Randy Webb said Martin was taken to a lifeguard station for emergency treatment but was pronounced dead at the scene.

Scripps Institution of Oceanography shark expert Richard Rosenblatt was quoted as saying the shark was probably a great white between 3.5 metres and five metres long.

The attack took place about 150 metres offshore. Two swimmers were about 20 metres ahead of the man when they heard him scream for help. They turned around and dragged him back to shore.

Rob Hill, also a member of the triathlon club said he was running on the beach at the time of the attack.

“They saw him come up out of the water, scream 'shark,' flail his arms and go back under,” Hill said.

Hill said the flesh was just hanging and he may have bled to death before he left the water.

Sources:
Associated Press

Agence France Presse

PIC:

Triathlon club members try to resuscitate Martin

Credit: SkyNews

FATAL – 8 April 2008 -- Lighthouse Beach, Ballina, New South Wales, Australia – surfer attacked

Peter Edmonds, 16, died of blood loss from his wounds after being bitten by a shark while bodyboarding with a friend at Lighthouse Beach, Ballina, New South Wales, Australia. The incident happened at 8am Tuesday 8 April 2008.

His friend Brock Curtis pulled him ashore following the attack, but was unable to resuscitate him. He was bitten twice on the left leg.

The attack happened in murky water close to the mouth of the Richmond River estuary.

Brock said he saw his friend in trouble and paddled out to him

The report from The West Australian newspaper describes the event:

"As he approached him he saw the water was beginning to turn red," Surf Life Saving NSW spokesman Stephen Leahy said later.

Brock told the Australian Associated Press (AAP) he saw a "big, grey shadow" pass by him but still paddled toward his stricken friend.

He was not afraid because he did not know what it was.

"In the water I was in line with him (Peter) and noticed that he was in a bit of trouble," he said.

"As I headed towards him it looked like he was catching a wave and was heading back to shore.

"Then I saw him on his back with his head above the water so then he turned so he was face down.

"I thought he was only joking, so I went over to him and as I flipped him over I saw his leg."

Brock dragged Peter to shore and tried in vain to resuscitate him, only for him to die of blood loss.

"He didn't make one noise," he said.

A shark expert at Taronga Zoo, which keeps the Australian
Shark Attack File, said it was most likely a Bull shark.

Links:
Australian Shark Attack File
Australian Associated Press

Sources:
Sydney Morning Herald
The West Australian

INJURED – 4 April 2008 – Ponce de Leon Inlet, Volusia County, Florida, US -- surfer attacked

Joe Giangrasso, 18, was bitten on the right foot while surfing south of Ponce de Leon Inlet, Volusia County, Florida, US on Friday 4 April 2008.

Giangrasso suffered gashes to his foot that required numerous stitches.

He was treated by the Volusia County Beach Patrol and his friends drove him to Bert Fish Medical Center for treatment.

He described the attack: "I thought he was going to hit me and hold on for a second. When I went to pull out, he clamped on harder and shook his head. I tried to reach, grab and push, do whatever I could do, finally he let go."

No other details were reported such as the size or species of the shark.

Sources:
Central Florida News 13

WFTV.com

Photo credit (from video footage): NECM.com

INJURED – 25 March 2008 – West Palm Beach, Florida, US – swimmer attacked

Nick Canganelli, 15, sustained minor injuries after he was bitten on the calf by what is believed to be a 6-foot Spinner shark.

The incident happened at a private beach at West Palm Beach, Florida, US, on Tuesday 25 March 2008.

Nick said his brother and he were “playing with small schools of fish swimming close to shore when he felt something much bigger bite his lower calf”.

"It was instantaneous. It happened so fast I didn't even know how to react." Nick was quoted as saying. "I didn't even know until a surfer near by said dude, you just got bit by a shark."
The surfer told him the shark appeared to be 6 feet long.

Nick said he leg bled profusely when he left the water. He was rushed to hospital where he received stitches. He was expected to make a full recovery.

Sources:
My Fox Cleveland