WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) – A shark bit a Maui surfer Friday and severed his leg, authorities said.
A 61-year-old man was surfing at Waiehu Beach Park on Friday morning when he was bitten by a shark. Police arrived at the scene and first tried to control the bleeding with tourniquets. His right leg was “completely amputated below the knee,” Maui County said in a statement.
The suspect was alert while being treated on the beach and was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition.
The man said he did not see the shark, authorities reported.
This incident caused officials to close the beach. Officials have warned people not to enter the water in this area. A public warning not to enter the water for one kilometer on each side of the incident will be in effect until 12:00 noon on Saturday. The warning will be extended if there are sharks in the area.
Maui fire and marine safety officials were patrolling the waters using a rescue aircraft and drone. Government officials put out shark warning signs and helped close the area.
No details were given on what type of shark was involved.
In June, well-known diver Tamayo Perry was killed in a shark attack while diving on Oahu's North Shore.
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