Shark attacks can be a terrifying experience and recently, South Padre Island in Texas became the unfortunate site of multiple incidents during Fourth of July celebrations. Within just two hours, multiple attacks were reported. One woman was severely injured as the shark bit a small portion out of her leg, while other beachgoers quickly pulled her out from the water. On the other hand, two men and two women were also attacked by the same shark, while one person was rushed to the hospital. Following the frightening incidents, authorities managed to locate the shark and push it back to the deeper waters. A video circulating online shows the beach water turning red as blood flowed out from the victim’s injury.
Four separate shark attacks were reported, starting with the first call to the police at around 11 AM. The incidents included one person with minor injuries and two others who were severely bitten. An eyewitness named Kyle Jud described the harrowing scene with NBC News and said, “Beach patrol lifted her up, her calf was just gone, shredded. Horrific.” A viral video captured during the rescue showed people carrying the injured woman to safety while the shark remained nearby, possibly looking for more prey.
JUST IN: Four shark attacks reported at South Padre Island in Texas during Fourth of July celebrations.Game Warden Capt. Chris Dowdy says all the attacks happened within two hours of each other.
One woman had a chunk bitten out her her leg as Good Samaritans were seen dragging… pic.twitter.com/Ng4aMKhjmi
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 5, 2024
Daughter of the victim told CNN, “I could see some blood coming down her leg. The shark pushed into her, five to six of his teeth scratched her leg. The wounds aren’t deep. We never saw the shark till he was right there with them. It wasn’t choppy water and the seas were calm. He showed up out of nowhere.”
In a statement, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department shared, “Shark encounters of this nature are not a common occurrence in Texas. When bites from sharks do occur, they are usually a case of mistaken identity by sharks looking for food.” Fire Chief Jim Pigg mentioned that they were not sure about the type of shark that attacked beachgoers but confirmed that they were looking into the matter.
In response to the seriousness of the attacks, lifeguards started advising people on the beach to refrain from entering the water but they allowed beachgoers to go till the knee deep water as a precautionary measure. Soon after the incident, authorities used drones, boats and helicopters to locate the shark.
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