UPDATED June 22, 2020
Shark bites have been reported in North Carolina and the Bahamas.
Nick Arthur, 16, of Oak Ridge, N.C., was body surfing and jumping over waves near an off-road vehicle ramp June 18 on the Outer Banks of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Just before 4 p.m. Nick, his sister, and father, Tim, were playing in the water off shore when Nick felt sudden pain in his thigh. He looked down to see a shark had clamped onto his leg and began screaming and punching the shark.
His father heard the screams, but thouWhen Tim heard his son’s screams, he thought Nick was just having fun, but then he saw the shark. Tim quickly sent his daughter to shore and swam to Nick’s aid..
Nick continued punching the shark as his father kicked it. The shark released Nick’s thigh and went for his hand, but was not able to get a grip.
Thankfully, this gave Nick and his father time to make their escape. The two made the 25-foot journey back to the beach, where family members administered first aidThankfully, this gave Nick and his father time to make their escape. The two made the 25-foot journey back to the beach, where family members administered first aid..
Nick was taken to an urgent care facility before being transferred to a hospital in Nags Head. Nick had 40 tooth impressions from multiple bites on his right leg and abrasions and lacerations on his hand. He needed 17 stitches to close the wounds.
This is the second shark bite reported in the state this year.
Samuel Horne, 26, was off the Outer Banks when he was bitten. The Manteo resident was paddling in the surf Jan. 13 around 2:30 p.m. when a shark grabbed his right foot. He was treated on the beach, and then taken to The Outer Banks hospital in Nags Head for treatment of the half-moon slash running from his big toe down to his little toe.
Two shark bites in the Bahamas?
An unidentified shark-bitten person was flown into Palm Beach International Airport from the Bahamas June 18, according to the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.s.
The person was listed with a trauma alert, indicating a serious injury and was taken to the local trauma hospital..
A second person may have suffered a shark bite on the hand near Pig Island, but details are still surfacing.
Last year an American tourist was killed by a shark while visiting the islands June 26.
Jordan Lindsey, 21, was snorkeling with her mother when a large tiger shark attacked. Lindsey’s right arm was severed, and she sustained significant injuries to her buttocks, legs, and left arm.
The family stated that no first aid kit was available and that several employees of the resort failed to offer aid.
All locations have been marked on the 2020 Shark Attack Map.
