CATALINA ISLAND, Calif. — A kayaker was in stable condition after being bitten by a shark off the California coast early Wednesday, authorities said.
The victim, whose age and gender were not revealed, was airlifted to an area hospital after the attack on Catalina Island at about 7:15 a.m. PDT, according to a tweet from lifeguards with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The kayaker underwent surgery, KABC reported.
“The patient and their father were kayaking near Parsons Landing when their boat was bumped by what is believed to be a shark of unknown size and type,” lifeguards tweeted. “During the encounter, the patient reached their hand into the water and was bit by the animal.”
At 7:15 today Lifeguard Paramedic Rescue Boat Crews responded to a medical emergency at Parson’s Landing on Catalina Island. 1 patient sustained an injury to their hand from an encounter with a shark. pic.twitter.com/ADkqiT7Oz0
— LACoFD Lifeguards (@LACoLifeguards) June 30, 2021
The lifeguard crews cleared and closed off one mile of beachfront in each direction of the scene, KCBS reported. The beach on the island, located southwest of Los Angeles, will remain closed for 24 hours, the television station reported.
Lifeguards were seeking assistance from a shark expert from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography to identify the size and type of the shark, according to the Long Beach Post.
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