WAILUKU (AP) — A 36-year-old man has been bitten by a shark while surfing in waters off the northern coast of Maui, according to officials.
WAILUKU (AP) — A 36-year-old man has been bitten by a shark while surfing in waters off the northern coast of Maui, according to officials.
The Paia man was taken to a hospital in serious condition after the Friday incident at Hookipa Beach Park. An update on his condition wasn’t immediately available.
Fire Services Chief Edward Taomoto said the man had been surfing about 50 yards from shore when he was attacked by a 5-foot reef shark. He was bitten in the left arm and left leg.
Other surfers came to the man’s aid and helped paddle him to shore.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources reported that ocean conditions had been windy, choppy and murky at the time.
A 2-mile stretch of the beach was closed following the incident but swimmers were allowed to return Saturday after officials patrolled the area and found no sign of sharks.
Friday’s attack marks the sixth time this year someone has been injured by a shark on Maui and the second in a week. A 66-year-old snorkeler was the apparent victim of a shark attack on Oct. 14 off Charley Young Beach. The part-time Kihei resident from Washington state suffered severe injuries to her lower left leg and was hospitalized.
Earlier this month, state officials warned beachgoers to use extra caution through the end of year. They noted October accounts for the greatest number of Hawaii shark bites.
Officials say beachgoers should avoid murky water and areas near stream mouths to reduce the risk of a shark attack.