Surfer 'attacked' by large shark off US coast sparking beach closures

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Surfer 'attacked' by large shark off US coast sparking beach closures
Surfer 'attacked' by large shark off US coast sparking beach closures

A SURFER has reportedly been attacked by a shark off the Hawaii coast.

Lifeguards closed Hanalei Bay on Kaua‘i’s North Shore after a surfer was reportedly bitten on Sunday around 4 pm local time.

The beach is closed to swimmers following the reported shark attack on Sunday qhiddziruiedprw
The beach is closed to swimmers following the reported shark attack on SundayCredit: Getty Images - Getty

According to the Kaua‘i Fire Department, a man was surfing at a popular spot known as The Bowl when he was bitten by a shark.

The surfer was transported to the Wilcox Medical Center in Līhuʻe with a bite to the leg.

His injuries are not life-threatening and the man was stable when taken to the health center.

Beachgoers flee in terror after mistaking whales for vicious attacking sharksBeachgoers flee in terror after mistaking whales for vicious attacking sharks

Following the attack, lifeguards have posted "Shark Sighted" and "No Swimming" signs along the bay.

The situation will be assessed on Monday afternoon, 24 hours after the attack, to see if the area is safe enough to be reopened.

Officials have reported the incident to the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Earlier this year a man from Utah was bitten twice by a shark at Hanalei Bay, according to local Fox affiliate KSTU-TV.

The 62-year-old was swimming about 200 years from the shore when he felt a bite on his left hand and then a second behind his left knee.

Following the attack, the victim managed to get the attention of a nearby catamaran, which took him to shore.

According to the state DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources, the man's identity, extent of his injuries, or medical condition were not released to the public.

Meanwhile, back in April, surfer Mike Morita told Good Morning America how he is lucky to be alive following a savage attack off the Honolulu coast.

"I was lying on my board, and then the shark grabbed onto my leg," the 58-year-old explained.

"And I could just feel the strength and power of it. The shark pulled me under twice.

Shock moment fisherman reels SHARK in front of horrified beachgoersShock moment fisherman reels SHARK in front of horrified beachgoers

"There was a point when the tail came by me, and because the punching didn't work, I kind of under-hooked the shark's body with my leg and my arm.

"At that time, when I hit the gills, the shark let go."

According to witnesses, the father of two was attacked by a seven-foot tiger shark.

The surfer's friends were in the water with him and they managed to tie a tourniquet to his leg.

Medical personnel said this quick thinking saved him from bleeding out and losing his life, though Morita did lose his right foot.

"Thank God for my friends, who saved my life," he told GMA from the hospital.

Emma Crabtree

Hawaii, Sharks

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