Teen Bitten By Shark on North Carolina Beach Near Scene of Earlier Attack

[Omaha Steve]

Source: NBC News

by ELISHA FIELDSTADT

A 17-year-old boy became the second person in two days Saturday to suffer apparent shark bites in the ocean off North Carolina beaches, in incidents just 14 miles apart, officials said.

The teen was swimming at a beach on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore near Waves at about 4 p.m. when he was apparently bitten by a shark and injured on his calf, buttocks and both hands, according to a statement from the National Park Service.

The boy was treated at the scene and then airlifted to Norfolk, Virginia, for treatment, according to the statement. The extent of his injuries wasn't clear. The 17-year-old was swimming with friends in about three feet of water about 20 feet offshore when the shark attack occurred, NBC affiliate WITN reported.

On Friday, a 47-year-old man suffered injuries to his right leg and lower back believed to have been caused by a shark just 14 miles down the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, according to the National Park Service.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/two-people-bitten-sharks-two-days-same-stretch-north-carolina-n383156

[GoneOffShore]

1. Not at all surprised.

Went to Myrtle Beach a couple of years ago and there were lots of sharks around.

Those waters are shark hospitable.

[YOHABLO]

2. Folks just need to stay the hell out of the water. It's not worth it. It's so polluted anyway.

[Capt.Rocky300]

3. It doesn't seem to be that difficult.....

of a concept in avoiding sharks. Some people just refuse to think.

[cstanleytech]

4. In other news sharks have been discovered to live in the ocean!!!

[bluedigger]

5. Don't sharks know to act like lightning?

[RufusTFirefly]

6. If you truly want to be safe, stay out of...

... your car.

The chances of dying from a shark attack are 1 in 3,700,000.
The chances of dying in an auto accident are 1 in 84.

There are 70 to 100 shark attacks worldwide every year, 5 to 15 result in death.

[teach1st]

7. I've been in the ocean my whole life

I've started surfing when I was twelve. I've surfed in Florida, my home state, Hawai'i, California and the Carolinas. I've seen a lot of sharks out there and have a few good shark stories. I was rarely afraid even when surfcasters were pulling in shark after shark while I was outside surfing in Melbourne, FL, near a break they used to call "Shark Pit." Anyway, I don't surf anymore, but I still enjoy the ocean.

I know there are many more people in the oceans now. But, I'm wondering if the rising temps in our oceans and the slowdown of ocean currents have somehow affected shark behavior and/or the bait fish patterns.

Six shark bites in North Carolina the past two weeks. There was a suspected shark bit in South Carolina yesterday or today as well. One suspected bite in Jacksonville, Florida this week. There were two shark bites in two days this week in Cape Town, South Africa. Reunion Island has had 17 in the past four years, the latest at the beginning of this month, despite an exodus of surfers from the island. It could be just a statistical anomaly. But I'm wondering if it could indicate a fundamental change in ocean habitat and ocean wildlife behavior caused by climate change. It's way too early to tell, but it's something to think about.

Whatever, I'm going swimming tomorrow. I know the precautions to take. Life is too short too worry about rare events.

[Historic NY]

8. Don't go back into the water is suppose to mean something...