The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has reported a probable shark bite in Delaware.
An unidentified 12-year-old was surfing off Herring Point in Cape Henlopen State Park June 4. Just before 1 p.m. he was bitten on the leg and sustained multiple puncture wounds.
Medical personnel were alerted and transported the young man to Beebee HealthCare. Initial reports indicate the wound pattern is consistent with a shark bite, but photographs of the wound will be examined by fisheries experts for confirmation.
Cape Henlopen State Park has been closed to surfing and swimmers must stay in knee-deep water by the Cape Henlopen bathhouse.
The last shark attack reported in the area occurred in 2014. Andrew Vance, 16, was swimming in the shallows with his sister and friends in the park June 9. Around 5 p.m. a shark latched onto his arm.
Vance lifted his left arm out of the water and began punching the still attached shark in its nose. The shark refused to let go until Vance used his finger to pry open the 3- to 4-foot sandbar shark’s mouth.
He was taken to the Beebe Healthcare Center where he received 23 stitches.
The location of the bite has been posted on the 2020 Shark Attack Map.
