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Tag: shark
Shark attacks, critically wounds woman at NYC’s Rockaway Beach
A woman was critically wounded in the latest shark attack in the New York City area.
Beachgoers looked on in disbelief Monday night at Rockaway Beach as she was bitten on a leg.
That 50-year-old was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.
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Before Monday, there were no reports of shark bites at Rockaway Beach in recent memory, but it was to have a delayed opening Tuesday while city officials continued enhanced surveillance of the water.
Police were flying drones overhead.
“The lady’s on the stretcher. She’s bleeding on the leg,” a witness said.
That person said the woman was awake but seemed to be in shock.
“I see one big bite and one little one,” the person said.
“That’s crazy, though. I can’t believe someone got attacked,” surfer Yaan Vessial said.
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Far Rockaway residents said they were surprised to hear of a shark attack at the beach because the water is usually pretty barren.
“There’s nothing here. You don’t really see any fish. It’s just sand, like a big desert under there,” Vessial said.
“Finding out about the shark bite — that blew my mind,” remarked Colin Smith.
There have already been at least five reported shark attacks at New York beaches this summer. Last year, there were at least eight statewide.
The city Parks Department issued the following a statement saying, “We hope for a full recovery for this swimmer. Though this was a frightening event, we want to remind New Yorkers that shark bites in Rockaway are extremely rare. We remain vigilant in monitoring the beach and always clear the water when a shark is spotted.”
Ali Bauman
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Woman critical after shark attack at popular New York City beach
A woman was in critical condition following a shark attack Monday off Rockaway Beach, one of the New York City’s most popular Atlantic coast attractions, authorities said.
The attack was reported at 5:49 p.m., in the water at 59th Street, according to the New York Police Department’s public information office.
She remained in critical condition at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center late Monday night, spokesperson Michael Hinck said.
The city’s Department of Parks and Recreation said the victim was a 50-year-old swimmer bitten on her left leg.
The attack prompted lifeguards to clear the beach as police in a helicopter searched unsuccessfully for the shark, the parks department said in a statement.
The beach is subject to a delayed open Tuesday, with a start time of 11 a.m. at the earliest, as authorities will continue to monitor the area for sharks, the parks department said.
“We hope for a full recovery for this swimmer,” the parks department said. “Though this was a frightening event, we want to remind New Yorkers that shark bites in Rockaway are extremely rare.”
Multiple shark attacks were reported a month ago northeast of Rockaway, in the waters off Fire Island, off Quogue, a village on Long Island, and off Babylon, New York.
Sand tiger sharks, which can grow to 10 feet, have been spotted in relatively large numbers along the surf line off Long Island this summer.
Experts at the Florida Museum’s International Shark Attack File say they are attracted to the bays and baitfish of the Long Island coast.
The file last year said that in 2022 New York state recorded eight of its 20 shark attacks reported since 1837.
Valeriya Antonshchuk, Yasmeen Persaud and Josh Cradduck contributed.
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