A woman remains in critical condition after being attacked by a shark in New York.
Tatyana Koltunyuk, 65, was swimming alone Aug. 7 about 10 feet off the waters between Beach 59th Street and Rockaway Beach. The avid beachgoer was in the water just before 6 p.m. when she felt pressure on her left leg just above the knee. A large shark had bitten her leg causing massive blood loss.
Lifeguards sprang into action and pulled the Ukrainian immigrant to shore. Their efforts, which included creating a makeshift tourniquet with a buoy rope, are being lauded for saving the victim’s life.
“We saw that she was bitten,” Chief Lifeguard Jose Diaz told The Post. “The blood was coming out a lot, so they gave her a tourniquet with the buoy, which has a rope, and they tied it so she doesn’t bleed to death.”
This resourceful move showcased their ability to adapt and make split-second decisions in critical moments by stopping bleeding as quickly as possible, which is vital in saving an injured person’s life.
Despite the traumatic nature of her injury, witnesses recounted that Koltunyuk appeared relatively calm once the lifeguards had laid her down on the beach.
Koltunyuk’s injuries were severe, resulting in the loss of what is described as losing 20 pounds of flesh. “She lost a lot of blood. The artery came right out. You could see the bones and everything. It was crazy,” said Chief Lifeguard Diaz in describing her injury.
This incident marked the first shark attack at Rockaway Beach in 70 years, leaving lifeguards and beachgoers in shock. Chief Lifeguard Diaz, who has decades of experience, expressed his astonishment, saying, “We go swimming like every other day. We see sharks but they don’t really do anything to us. This is the first time this happened.”
Koltunyuk was taken to Jamaica Hospital. The most recent report upgraded her condition as stable. While the specific species of shark that attacked her could not be identified, teeth marks confirm the injury was definitely caused by a shark.
In response to the attack, the beach was closed and may be reopened today.
5 other shark attack bites in the state in 2023
A series of shark attacks in New York waters has raised concerns among ocean users. The string of incidents began off Fire Island, a small strip of land along the coast of Long Island. On July 3, an unidentified 15-year-old female suffered minor puncture wounds from a suspected shark. Later that day, Peter Banculli, 15, felt a strong tug on his ankle while on his surfboard, sustaining injuries that required medical attention.
On July 4, sharks bit three more individuals. Despite the non-life-threatening nature of the injuries, the incidents have prompted caution. Experts attribute increased shark interactions to factors such as cleaner water, a healthier shark population, and high numbers of ocean users.
As Rockaway Beach residents and visitors process the shocking incident, the heroism of the lifeguards serves as a testament to their dedication and preparedness in safeguarding the lives of those who enjoy the waters of the popular beach destination. Ocean users are reminded to stay near lifeguard-patrolled areas, avoid bait fish, stay in groups, and adhere to safety guidelines due to recent shark encounters.
All locations have been marked on the 2023 Shark Attack Map.
