A surfer fought to save his arm, while a Miami boy is recovering after the two had separate run-ins with sharks.
In Australia, a surfer is recovering following surgery that saved his arm, after being attacked by an estimated 10-foot (3m) white shark on July 5..
Joe Hoffman, 25, was enjoying the waves off Main Beach, Crescent Head, New South Wales, Australia around 4:30 p.m., duck-diving a wave when a large white shark bit the left side of his board. The impact of the bite broke the experienced surfer’s left forearm and mangled his bicep. (In duck-diving, surfers use their boards to go under a wave.)
With the help of bystanders, several who were off-duty medical professionals, Hoffman was able to exit the water. The Good Samaritans used a leg rope as a tourniquet, and alerted emergency personnel.
After Hoffman was treated on scene, he was flown by Westpac Rescue helicopter to John Hunter Hospital where surgeons were able to save his arm.
Both Killick and Crescent Head beaches have been closed for 24 hours.
Boy bitten by shark in Florida.
An 8-year-old boy was bitten by a shark July 4 off Ponce Inlet, Florida.
The unidentified boy, who was visiting from Miami, was in water near Winterhaven Park around 4 p.m. when a shark grabbed his right leg. He was treated on scene by Volusia County Beach Safety and transported to Halifax Hospital in stable condition.
Based on his wound, officials estimate a 2- to 3-foot shark was responsible for the bite.
Both locations have been marked on the 2021 Shark Attack Map.
