Two shark attacks in ONE DAY on same stretch of beach amid 5 Long Island maulings as officials warn of ‘new normal’ | The Sun
TWO shark attacks were reported on the same stretch of Long Island beach on Wednesday, officials said.
Experts are warning of a “new normal” after five people were mauled by the beasts off the East Coast over the past two weeks.
Surfer Shawn Donnely, 41, was knocked off his board when a sand Tiger shark attacked off the coast of Smith Point Beach on July 13.
He was left with a four-inch gash wound to the leg.
Donnely revealed he punched the shark to fend off the beast.
He told NBC New York: “It got my left calf and knocked me off my board… when I was falling off my board, I saw the fin and its back.”
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Donnely managed to ride a wave that returned him to shore.
Suffolk County Parks in Shirley said swimming was suspended in Smith Point Beach following a "dangerous marine life activity".
And, a man, 49, was taken to hospital after being bitten on the wrist and buttocks by a shark at Seaview Beach.
Donnely was attacked at Smith Point – just days after John Mullins was mauled by a tiger shark.
He was participating in lifeguard training on Fire Island on July 7 when the beast attacked.
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The attack left John with foot injuries. He was taken to hospital where he received several stitches.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said: “To have two of these incidents happen to us for this facility for this beach is unprecedented.
“So to have a second incident like this certainly is not something we would expect.
“I think it is an indication, however, that we’re looking at is something of a new normal in that sharks, these tiger sharks, are just a little bit too close to the shore.”
Meanwhile, another lifeguard Zach Gallo, was attacked on July 3 near Smith Point Beach.
He was participating in a training exercise when he was reportedly bitten in the chest and hand by the beast.
He was then immediately rushed to the hospital, where he received stitches.
SAVAGE ATTACKS
A 57-year-old man reportedly suffered a laceration on June 30 while swimming off Jones Beach.
But, park officials told NBC4NY that they were unaware of a shark attack.
The incident prompted authorities to increase patrols at all Nassau County beaches over the July 4 weekend.
Shocking data has revealed that at least 22 people have been mauled by sharks in the US this year.
A six-foot-long beast bit a surfer on his foot at New Smyrna Beach in Florida on July 10.
It came just a week after a man, 28, had his left foot bitten while riding the waves at the same beach.
The popular beach resort has been dubbed the shark capital of the world.
Two men in their early twenties, a fisherman and a surfer, suffered bites to their legs and feet in March.
Last September a 16-year-old boy was bitten in the arm while surfing at the resort. He needed nine stitches.
Daytona Beach News-Journal reported that two more people were attacked in May of 2021 on the same beach.
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Florida teen Addison Bethea, 17, was forced to get her leg amputated after being savaged by a shark.
And, mom-of-two Linday Bruns was left with a half-circle-shaped wound following an attack in June.
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