A 61-year-old surfer in Hawaii had his leg completely severed in a shark attack on Friday (November 1). The incident occurred at Waiehu Beach Park, where the man was surfing early in the morning. According to the County of Maui Police and Fire officials, the surfer’s leg was bitten off below the knee by the shark.
Despite his critical condition, the man managed to swim to shore, where he was treated by first responders before being transported to a local hospital.
The man, whose identity has not been released, was alert while being treated on the shore. “I would like to commend the patient for his strength and wherewithal getting himself to shore,” said Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety (MFD) Assistant Chief Jeff Giesea.
Following the incident, Waiehu Beach Park was closed, and beachgoers were advised to stay out of the water from Paukūkalo to Waihe‘e. The warning will remain in effect until at least noon on Saturday (November 2) and will be extended if there is a shark sighting in the area. The type of shark involved in the attack has not been identified.
This incident comes just four months after the death of legendary surfer and lifeguard Tamayo Perry, who was killed in a shark attack in Hawaii in June.
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