Surfer hospitalized after Northern California shark attack
A surfer was hospitalized with serious injuries after a shark attack Tuesday off Northern California.
The 25-year-old surfer, whose name had not been released at the time of this post, was reported to be in fair condition after undergoing surgery at St. Joseph Hospital in Humboldt County.
This marks the second shark attack off California in the past week. The first, off Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara County, resulted in the death of 39-year-old surfer Francisco Javier Solorio Jr. An expert determined that attack to have likely involved a white shark measuring 15-16 feet.
This is feeding season for white sharks off Northern and Central California. Adult white sharks typically prey on elephant seals and smaller pinnipeds.
Tuesday's attack, which removed a large crescent-shaped bite from the victim's board and left him with a 14-inch bite wound in the rib and hip area, occurred at about noon at Bunker Surf Spot, near what is known as the North Jetty.
According to the Eureka Times-Standard, the surfer was transported from the scene by the driver of a black pickup. He was met by emergency personnel when the truck arrived on Highway 101.
David Hargrave, one of several witnesses, said the victim managed to make it ashore on his own power, but was bleeding profusely.
Jason Gabriel, who owns the pickup, said he had just finished surfing and happened to be driving by when the victim was being assisted from the water's edge. Of the ride to the highway Gabriel said, "I was probably doing 110 mph, I've never seen anything like this in my life."
Gabriel said the victim looked to be in bad shape, and might have been going into shock.
"It punctured all the way through," Gabriel said. "He was going, 'Oh my God, oh my God."
The victim's name and other details will be posted here when they become available.
The 25-year-old surfer, whose name had not been released at the time of this post, was reported to be in fair condition after undergoing surgery at St. Joseph Hospital in Humboldt County.
This marks the second shark attack off California in the past week. The first, off Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara County, resulted in the death of 39-year-old surfer Francisco Javier Solorio Jr. An expert determined that attack to have likely involved a white shark measuring 15-16 feet.
This is feeding season for white sharks off Northern and Central California. Adult white sharks typically prey on elephant seals and smaller pinnipeds.
Tuesday's attack, which removed a large crescent-shaped bite from the victim's board and left him with a 14-inch bite wound in the rib and hip area, occurred at about noon at Bunker Surf Spot, near what is known as the North Jetty.
According to the Eureka Times-Standard, the surfer was transported from the scene by the driver of a black pickup. He was met by emergency personnel when the truck arrived on Highway 101.
David Hargrave, one of several witnesses, said the victim managed to make it ashore on his own power, but was bleeding profusely.
Jason Gabriel, who owns the pickup, said he had just finished surfing and happened to be driving by when the victim was being assisted from the water's edge. Of the ride to the highway Gabriel said, "I was probably doing 110 mph, I've never seen anything like this in my life."
Gabriel said the victim looked to be in bad shape, and might have been going into shock.
"It punctured all the way through," Gabriel said. "He was going, 'Oh my God, oh my God."
The victim's name and other details will be posted here when they become available.
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