Five people are recovering after reported shark attacks in New York.
The string of incidents started off Fire Island, a small strip of land running about 31 miles along the coast of Long Island.
The first incident occurred July 3 off Robert Moses State Park. Around 1:45 p.m. a suspected shark hit an unidentified 15-year-old female’s leg. She suffered three small puncture wounds and was treated by medical personnel before being released to her parents
A few hours later, Peter Banculli, 15, was on his surfboard waiting on a wave. Around 5:20 p.m. he felt an extremely hard tug on his ankle and felt as if he had stepped into a bear trap.
“My first reaction when the shark grabbed my foot was to immediately get out to the water and get help,” he told 7 News.
The teen was able to paddle back to shore where Good Samaritans and a friend helped stem the blood loss until first responders arrived.
Banculli had damage to his heel and several toes that requires the use of a knee scooter to move around. The injury will not keep him down for long as he said he is extremely excited to get back in the water and “start shredding again.” He also gave a big thanks to those who helped him on the beach and in the emergency room.
Three people were bitten by sharks on July 4.
An unidentified man, 47, was in chest-deep water near Quoque Village beach when he was bitten on the right knee.
A 49-year-old man was at Fire Island Pines around 1:55 p.m. when he was bitten on the right hand by what he estimated was a 4-foot shark. He was taken to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore to treat multiple inch-deep puncture wounds on both sides of his hand. An X-ray revealed a piece of shark’s tooth left in the wound and surgery was required to remove the tooth.
Around 4:25 p.m. a 50-year-old woman was swimming off Cherry Grove when she felt a pain in her upper thigh. She looked down to see what she estimated was a 4-foot shark. The unidentified woman was able to punch the shark until it let go. She was also taken to South Shore University Hospital for treatment on several 2-inch-deep puncture wounds on her inner thigh and abrasions on the outer thigh.
Each victim is expected to heal from the non-life-threatening wounds.
July 3 and 4 were two of the hottest days recorded and thousands of people were out in the water. This coupled with cleaner water and a healthier shark population can lead to more shark interactions.
Ocean users are advised to stay near lifeguard patrolled areas, avoid bait fish, which can often be spotted when diving birds are spotted, stay in groups and close to shore.
All locations have been marked on the 2023 Shark Attack Map.
