A snorkeler has been bitten by a shark in English Bay off Ascension Island.
A British woman identified as Frankie Gonsalves and her husband were exploring the waters April 22 near the shore of English Bay.
Mrs. Gonsalves, who is a member of the Saint Helena government, was bitten by a shark on her leg around 4 p.m.
Her husband Dean swam to her aid and began punching the shark, which was reported to have turned on him.
Gonsalves was treated at the Georgetown Hospital before being airlifted to the United Kingdom for further treatment.
It is unclear if her husband was injured in the incident.
The shark was thought to be a Galapagos.
**Update 04/25/17 Mrs. Gonsalves was bitten on the foot and calf by the shark. Her husband had bruises to his hand. **
Ascension is a small, isolated volcanic island, part of the British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic; it is also a Royal Air Force station.
There have been a total of 33 shark attack bites in 2017, 3 of which were fatal*; 16 were reported in the US, with 14 occurring in Florida and one in Hawaii. Seven occurred in Australia, one of which was fatal. All locations have been marked on the 2017 shark attack bites tracking map.
All locations have been marked on the 2017 shark attack bites tracking map.
*One fatal may be scavenge
The article will be updated when more information becomes available.
