A fatal shark attack has been reported in California.
Ben Kelly, 26, was around 100 yards (91m) off Sand Dollar Beach in Santa Cruz May 9 when he was bitten on the right knee by a shark.
Kelly and a friend were able to swim back to shore, but unable to stop the blood loss from the torn popliteal artery and vein on the right knee.
A citizen flagged down a lifeguard on routine patrol just before 1:30 p.m. to report the incident.
Emergency personnel and Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene about 1 mile south of the Manresa state beach main parking lot.
Authorities pronounced Kelly dead on scene.
Following shark attack protocol, California Department of Parks and Recreation have closed beaches 1 mile north and 1 mile south of the incident.
The species of shark involved has not been officially identified, however it is most likely a great white shark. Female sharks, which are larger than the males, have been known to pup during this time of year and may come closer into shore.
In addition, it is possible that sharks and other marine animals may be coming in closer to shore due to the lack of humans using the water while beaches have been closed.
This is the third shark incident in the state over the last 10 days.
A 57-year-old female was swimming off Summerland May 1, when she was bitten on the right foot.
Photographs of the wound indicate a 7- to 8-foot-long juvenile white shark was involved.
Another incident occurred April 30.
An unidentified 16-year-old was surfing or bodyboarding off Moonlight Beach. Around 5:45 p.m. a shark began chasing a stingray around the teen. He was able to kick the shark, which tore his wetsuit and then was stung by the stingray.
All locations have been marked on the 2020 Shark Attack Map.
The main article will be updated as more information becomes available.
Updated with bite location May 14.
