A 13-year-old boy was seriously injured in an attack by an 11-foot shark off Southern California on Saturday.
The unidentified teen suffered “traumatic injuries” to his upper torso while he was skin diving for lobster off Encinitas in San Diego County, officials said.
He was aided by three good Samaritans, including an off-duty lifeguard, who got the boy to shore in a kayak. He was conscious and talking, witnesses said.
Another lifeguard, sheriff’s deputies and paramedics rushed to the scene and the teen was quickly airlifted to the Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, Capt. Larry Giles of Encinitas’ Marine Safety Department said at a press conference.
Chad Hammel was diving nearby for lobsters with his two friends when he suddenly heard the boy “scream.” He told ABC7-TV: “I thought he got a big one [lobster], and I was happy for him.” But the boy “kept screaming, and then I .... heard, ‘I got bit!’ ... He needed help, he just kept yelling.”
Hammel said the water around the boy was filled with blood and his back was torn by bites. When he and his friends loaded the boy on the kayak and headed for shore, the huge shark followed them.
The boy was in critical condition but expected to survive. A hospital spokesman said the teen was taken to surgery, but released no other information at the request of his family.
The teen was attacked about 7 a.m. local time in about nine feet of water some 175 yards from Beacon Beach, Giles said.
“Our hearts and prayers and thoughts are with the young boy who’s being treated right now and his family,” Encinitas Fire Chief Mike Stein said.
Other swimmers and divers were quickly evacuated from the area. There were several divers offshore because it was the first day of lobster season, Giles said.
Beaches in the area were closed, and will remain so for at least 48 hours.
The waters were being patrolled by officers from several agencies on jet skis, as well as from shore and via drones.
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