Woman Bitten by Shark off Rockaway Beach, New York, in Critical Condition

65-Year-Old Victim Sustains Severe Bite in Latest of Series of Shark Attacks; Authorities Heighten Vigilance

A 65-year-old woman is currently in critical condition after being bitten by a shark off Rockaway Beach in New York. This incident marks the latest occurrence in a string of shark attacks along the region's coastline. In the past year alone, eight shark attacks have been reported in the waters of New York, raising concerns about marine safety.

The alarming event unfolded on Monday evening, approximately at 5:49 pm, as reported by the New York Police Department. The victim suffered a leg bite and was swiftly transported to a hospital located in the Jamaica section of Queens for urgent medical attention. Quick-thinking officers applied a tourniquet to her wound, an action credited with saving her life, as detailed by the New York Daily News.

Preliminary reports from the New York Post indicate that the woman endured a substantial loss of flesh, amounting to around 20 lbs, due to a bite sustained above the knee on her left leg. The incident occurred while she was swimming alone offshore. As a result of the incident, lifeguards promptly cleared the water of swimmers, and aerial police units searched for the shark. The New York Parks Department has issued a statement confirming the beach closure on Tuesday for swimming and surfing, marking the first recorded shark bite at this location since 1953.

While authorities emphasize the rarity of shark bites in the Rockaway area, recent events paint a different picture. Several shark encounters were reported last month, with five people bitten over the Fourth of July holiday, including a 15-year-old boy. The bites ranged from knee injuries to hand and foot bites. The prohibition on swimming has been extended to encompass areas further east of Rockaway Beach, including Jones Beach, following potential shark sightings.

New York Parks official George Gorman assured the public that these precautions are taken out of an abundance of caution. Surveillance drones are actively monitoring the shoreline to ensure safety. Recent summers have seen an increase in shark bites, though the current count of six incidents trails the record-setting eight bites recorded in 2022. The growth in human-shark interactions is attributed to the presence of sand-tiger sharks, which are drawn to abundant baitfish near the shore.

Marine biologists suggest that these sharks are not inherently interested in biting humans and that their teeth are not well-suited for such actions. Instead, they target schools of Atlantic menhaden or bunker fish, drawn to shallower waters by increased human activity. The coexistence of more sharks, humans, and baitfish in New York waters has led to a surge in shark attacks, accounting for eight out of the state's 20 attacks since 1837.

As a result of the incident, Rockaway Beach has a delayed opening time on Tuesday, with authorities closely monitoring the area for any further shark activity. Marine safety remains a top priority as officials work to mitigate the risks posed by these encounters.