Monday, June 30, 2008

INJURED – 26 June 2008 – New Smyrna Beach, Florida, US -- surfer attacked

A 29-year-old surfer (name not released) was bitten by a shark on his left foot on Thursday afternoon, 26 June 2008. The incident occurred at New Smyrna Beach, Florida, US.

According to media reports he was sitting on his board with his feet dangling in the water when he was bitten. Authorities said his injuries were minor and did not require stitches.

No other details were reported.

Sources:
Florida Today

INJURED – 26 June 2008 – Isle of Palms, South Carolina, US – swimmer attacked

A man (name not released) was bitten on his hand by a shark while swimming of the Isle off Palms, South Carolina, US, on Thursday morning, 28 June 2008.

Media reports said the 37-year-old told authorities he was swimming in the breaking waves when the 4 1/2- to 5-foot-long shark nipped his hand.

Authorities said: “He needed immediate medical attention, but it didn't look like he was going to have any long-term issues.”

He declined to use an ambulance and went to East Cooper Medical Center in a personal vehicle.

No other details were reported.

Sources:
Post and Courier

Sunday, June 22, 2008

INJURED – 20 June 2008 -- Fernandina Beach, Florida, USA – wader attacked

Jennifer Castion received severe lacerations to both sides of her lower right calf from a shark bite in chest-deep waters off Fernandina Beach, Florida, USA. The incident occurred 11 am Friday, 20 June 2008.

She reportedly told authorities she felt something grab her leg in chest-high water. After a struggle, it let her leg go.

Once ashore, her husband wrapped her leg in a towel, took her to the nearby beach house they were staying at and called 911. She was flown via air ambulance to Shands Jacksonville hospital.

No other details were reported.

Sources:
Florida Times
Fox News

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

INJURED – 1 June 2008 – Cherry Grove, South Carolina, United States – swimmer attacked

Madi Taff, 15, received minor wounds after being bitten by a shark on the foot while body surfing at Cherry Grove, South Carolina, United States. The incident occurred on 1 June but was only reported on 16 June 2008.

She was rushed to a lifeguard station and then taken to hospital where she had 16 stitches to close the wound.

Madi said she thought she hit her leg on a rock or was bitten by a large crab.

Judging by the bite, doctors said the shark was about 5 feet long. Authorities speculate the shark was either a Sandbar or a Black Tip shark.

Sources:
WSMV
WZTV

Thursday, June 12, 2008

INJURED – 12 June 2008 -- Del Cifre beach, Pernambuco state, Brazil – surfer attacked

A 14-year-old surfer, Galvao de Franca, was bitten on the leg by a shark while surfing off Del Cifre beach in Pernambuco state, north east Brazil, according to a 12 June 2008 SkyNews report. The date of the attack was not mentioned, although it did refer to refer to a previous attack – 10 days ago – where another 14-year-old surfer lost his hand, also in Pernambuco state and some 20 miles south of this attack.

According to the report the boy managed to break lose from the shark's jaws and swim ashore. A passing ambulance crew took him to hospital.

He suffered a deep gash in his left leg and lost a lot of bllod, but was expected to recover.

Authorities told media the beach was off limits to bathers and surfers because of the many sharks in the area. Galvao apparently ignored signs on the beach warning of the danger of sharks.

No other details were reported.

Sources:
SkyNews

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

INJURED – 1 June 2008 – Piedade beach, Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil – swimmer attacked

Wellington dos Santos, 14, had his right hand completely severed and suffered large bite wounds to his buttocks from a shark attack while swimming beyond the coral reef about 150 metres off the beach at Piedade, near the Pernambuco state capital Recife.

Lifeguards rescued dos Santos and rushed him to a hospital, where he was reported to be in critical but stable condition at the time of this blog.

Pernambuco state fire department spokesman Marcio Maia, told media that as well as losing his right hand the shark “bit off a large chunk of his buttocks”.

The attack was the 51st since authorities started keeping count of shark attacks in the area in 1992. Maia said that sharks have killed 19 people in Pernambuco state over the past 15 years.

No other details were reported.

Sources:
Associated Press

INJURED – 26 May 2008 -- Hammocks Beach State Park, Bear Island, North Carolina, United States – surfer attacked

A brief report from WRAL.com says a nine-year-old boy, William Early, was presumed bitten by a shark while surfing in shallow water off Bear Island in the Hammocks Beach State Park, North Carolina, United States. The incident occurred around 4pm on Monday 26 May 2008.

A spokesperson for the Parks and Recreation authority said the boy had just got off his surfboard “when a large fish attacked him”.

William suffered lacerations to his upper and lower left arm. He underwent surgery at Wilmington hospital to correct some nerve damage and returned home to recover.

Doctors said William's wounds were consistent with a shark bite. However, no one saw a shark at the scene.

No other details were reported.

Sources:
WRAL.com