Surfer attacked by shark near Point Reyes, beaches closed
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2005 3:08 am
Surfer attacked by shark near Point Reyes, beaches closed
By: Associated Press -
POINT REYES STATION, Calif. (AP) -- A surfer was bitten by a shark in coastal waters off Point Reyes National Seashore on Sunday, prompting park officials to close beaches near the site of the attack, authorities said.
The unidentified surfer's legs were hanging over the sides of his surfboard when the shark grabbed his lower leg around 9:30 a.m. just off Limantour Beach, about 50 miles north of San Francisco, according to park officials at Point Reyes National Seashore.
The man told authorities the shark, which was between six and eight feet long, released his leg after he hit the creature on the head. The surfer then paddled to shore on his own, park officials said.
The shark was believed to be a great white shark. No other shark sightings have been reported since the Sunday morning attack.
The surfer was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Santa Rosa for treatment of injuries to his lower leg.
In response, park officials have closed the waters off Limantour Beach and adjoining Drakes Beach for five days. The beaches will be reopened if no more shark sightings are reported.
Sightings of great white sharks are common near Point Reyes National Seashore in the fall when seal lions, elephant seals and harbor seals visit the area.
The last shark incident at Point Reyes National Seashore, which receives about 2.5 million visitors each year, occurred in 1996 when an abalone diver was attacked and survived his injuries. An average of 2.1 shark attacks occurred annually along the California coast between 1950 and 1999, park officials said.
By: Associated Press -
POINT REYES STATION, Calif. (AP) -- A surfer was bitten by a shark in coastal waters off Point Reyes National Seashore on Sunday, prompting park officials to close beaches near the site of the attack, authorities said.
The unidentified surfer's legs were hanging over the sides of his surfboard when the shark grabbed his lower leg around 9:30 a.m. just off Limantour Beach, about 50 miles north of San Francisco, according to park officials at Point Reyes National Seashore.
The man told authorities the shark, which was between six and eight feet long, released his leg after he hit the creature on the head. The surfer then paddled to shore on his own, park officials said.
The shark was believed to be a great white shark. No other shark sightings have been reported since the Sunday morning attack.
The surfer was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Santa Rosa for treatment of injuries to his lower leg.
In response, park officials have closed the waters off Limantour Beach and adjoining Drakes Beach for five days. The beaches will be reopened if no more shark sightings are reported.
Sightings of great white sharks are common near Point Reyes National Seashore in the fall when seal lions, elephant seals and harbor seals visit the area.
The last shark incident at Point Reyes National Seashore, which receives about 2.5 million visitors each year, occurred in 1996 when an abalone diver was attacked and survived his injuries. An average of 2.1 shark attacks occurred annually along the California coast between 1950 and 1999, park officials said.