Boy dies after shark attack- VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2005 5:20 pm
Boy dies after shark attack- VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
SEP.2.2001
David Peltier, of Richmond, was pronounced dead at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters at 3:45 a.m. ET Sunday.
As a result of the attack, the main artery in his left thigh was severed, resulting in significant blood loss, according to a spokesman for Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters.
David was visiting his father, Richard Peltier, a resident of Virginia Beach, when the attack happened Saturday evening around 6 p.m. ET. The father and son were in about 4 feet of water on a sandbar approximately 50 yards offshore.
Witnesses of the attack say the father could be seen hitting the shark over the head to try to get it to release his son.
David was initially treated at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, and was then transferred to the trauma unit at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and then taken to Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters where he died.
David's family released a statement through the hospital saying they "appreciate the expressions of concern, sympathy and support they have received from the community and asks that prayers on their behalf continue."
"I speak for the entire city of Virginia Beach when I say how terribly saddened I am by this horrible accident," Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf said.
Shark attacks are exceptionally in Virginia Beach, according to Maylon White, curator of the Virginia Marine Science Museum. Officials believe Saturday's shark attack was the first in the Virginia Beach area in some 30 years.
In Florida, there have been 28 shark attacks this year. One of the Florida attacks severed the arm of 8-year-old Jessie Arbogast and left him in a light coma.
White noted that sharks in Virginia Beach waters are typically small varieties, such as sandbar, sand tiger and hammerhead. Rarely found are larger types such as tiger and bull sharks, he said. It's not known what type of shark attacked David Peltier.
In order to prevent further attacks in Virginia Beach waters this weekend, Mayor Oberndorf has asked city public safety officials to take all possible precautions to safeguard swimmers from shark attacks.
EMS will have boats patrolling all ocean waters and vehicles checking the oceanfront from the beaches.
All lifeguards will be briefed on searching for signs of sharks prior to beginning their watches. At any sign of shark, lifeguards will require swimmers to leave the water.
EMS officials urge swimmers to be alert and use caution in swimming in the ocean, especially in non-guarded areas.
SEP.2.2001
David Peltier, of Richmond, was pronounced dead at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters at 3:45 a.m. ET Sunday.
As a result of the attack, the main artery in his left thigh was severed, resulting in significant blood loss, according to a spokesman for Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters.
David was visiting his father, Richard Peltier, a resident of Virginia Beach, when the attack happened Saturday evening around 6 p.m. ET. The father and son were in about 4 feet of water on a sandbar approximately 50 yards offshore.
Witnesses of the attack say the father could be seen hitting the shark over the head to try to get it to release his son.
David was initially treated at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, and was then transferred to the trauma unit at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and then taken to Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters where he died.
David's family released a statement through the hospital saying they "appreciate the expressions of concern, sympathy and support they have received from the community and asks that prayers on their behalf continue."
"I speak for the entire city of Virginia Beach when I say how terribly saddened I am by this horrible accident," Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf said.
Shark attacks are exceptionally in Virginia Beach, according to Maylon White, curator of the Virginia Marine Science Museum. Officials believe Saturday's shark attack was the first in the Virginia Beach area in some 30 years.
In Florida, there have been 28 shark attacks this year. One of the Florida attacks severed the arm of 8-year-old Jessie Arbogast and left him in a light coma.
White noted that sharks in Virginia Beach waters are typically small varieties, such as sandbar, sand tiger and hammerhead. Rarely found are larger types such as tiger and bull sharks, he said. It's not known what type of shark attacked David Peltier.
In order to prevent further attacks in Virginia Beach waters this weekend, Mayor Oberndorf has asked city public safety officials to take all possible precautions to safeguard swimmers from shark attacks.
EMS will have boats patrolling all ocean waters and vehicles checking the oceanfront from the beaches.
All lifeguards will be briefed on searching for signs of sharks prior to beginning their watches. At any sign of shark, lifeguards will require swimmers to leave the water.
EMS officials urge swimmers to be alert and use caution in swimming in the ocean, especially in non-guarded areas.