Shark attack leaves man with ‘significant injuries,’ prompts closure of beach in California

A man was hospitalised after sustaining “significant injuries” due to a shark attack while swimming on a beach in the California town of Del Mar, on Sunday (Jun 2) morning. The attack also prompted lifeguards to close beaches for swimming and surfing in the area.

What we know about the incident

The horrifying incident took place in the tiny coastal town of Del Mar when a 46-year-old man participating in a group swim was attacked by a shark and sustained “injuries that are significant but not believed to be life-threatening,” said town’s officials.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

The incident, according to local media reports, took place at 9:00 am (local time) nearly 100 metres offshore from the Beach Safety Center, the town’s relatively new lifeguard headquarters on 17th Street.

Also Read |Masked maniac flashes vile ‘Kill Hostages Now’ sign at NYC Israel Day Parade

The man, whose identity was not known, was part of a group of about a dozen ocean swimmers who regularly meet to train in Del Mar.

The attack prompted lifeguards to close a stretch of the beach for swimmers and surfers one mile (1.61 kilometres) north and south of the lifeguard headquarters. The closure will reportedly remain in effect till 9:00 am (local time) on Tuesday (Jun 4).

About the victim

The shark attacked the 46-year-old victim and bit an arm, a hand and his torso, said the town of Del Mar, in a statement. The man who has not been named was said to be an experienced ocean swimmer.

The incident also took place under relatively normal conditions for early June with three-foot waves and a water temperature of about 17.8 degrees Celsius, reported NBC News citing data from the National Data Buoy Center information.

The type of shark involved in the attack on Sunday was not immediately clear.

Also Read |New York couple finds safe with $100,000 cash while ‘magnet fishing’

“My understanding is that the patient is stable. He was in the OR last I heard, so we’re happy and feel fortunate that he’s doing well,” Del Mar Lifeguard chief Jon Edelbrock told Fox 5 San Diego.

“I was shocked, honestly. This is the beach that I go to, I’m a local and this is the restaurant I frequent every Sunday for brunch,” beachgoer Marina Vassiliades told NBC 7.

Edelbrock told the local media outlet that this is a second shark attack in about a year and a half and called it “not a good day for ocean lovers.”

(With inputs from agencies)