SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas – A number of beachgoers on South Padre Island had been attacked by the identical shark on Independence Day, a time when the island is stuffed with locals and out-of-town guests for the vacation.
4 individuals injured
Texas Recreation wardens confirmed two individuals had been bitten, a 3rd particular person was grazed and a fourth man was injured heading off a shark on South Padre Island on Thursday.
CNN reported two off-duty U.S. Border Patrol brokers pulled a sufferer from the water and utilized a tourniquet to the particular person’s leg.
Rayner Cardenas advised KRGV his son-in-law was pulled underwater by the shark.
“Began swimming in the direction of him, and he jumped out of the water and began saying, ‘Shark! Shark!’ And that’s when adrenaline kicked in, and I went proper after him.”
Cardenas saved his son-in-law by carrying him out of the water onto shore.
Brian McDaniel, who witnessed the aftermath, advised KRGV, “How is that this truly taking place proper now? It was very surreal.”
Nereyda Bazaldua advised CNN she noticed her 18-year-old daughter, Victoria, and her different youngsters run out of the water.
Victoria had blood operating down her leg after just a few of the shark’s tooth scratched her leg, CNN reported. Bazaldua mentioned her daughter’s wound was minor and never deep. They plan on getting Victoria a tetanus shot.
All the assaults had been believed to have been related to the identical shark, in response to Texas Recreation Warden Captain Chris Dowdy.
Shark assault response
South Padre Island police had been first referred to as to the 4100 block of Gulf Boulevard round 11 a.m. on Thursday for a extreme shark chunk to a person’s leg.
Police and fireplace division personnel supplied first support on the scene earlier than the person was transported to a Brownsville hospital.
In all, state park and wildlife officers mentioned two victims had been taken to the hospital. One of many victims acquired therapy in Brownsville, whereas the opposite was airlifted to an unknown location for additional therapy.
“Native sport wardens and members of the Texas Recreation Warden Marine Tactical Operations Group assisted in patrolling the seaside by boat and land patrol whereas DPS patrolled the realm by helicopter and SPI PD and Cameron County rangers assisted with crowd management on the seaside,” Texas Parks and Wildlife Division mentioned in a information launch.
TPWD mentioned shark encounters of this nature will not be frequent in Texas, and sharks could mistake individuals for meals.
What occurs subsequent
Dowdy mentioned the shark escaped to open waters, and there have been no plans to comprise it.
TPWD mentioned if you happen to encounter massive colleges of bait close to the shore, it may point out a predator is close by. You must stay calm and exit the water to attend for the animal to move.
Cameron County Decide Eddie Trevino Jr. mentioned the county can be working with the Metropolis of South Padre Island, and state and federal companies to patrol the seashores.
“This can be a horrendous occasion, the County will proceed to offer all sources wanted to maintain our households protected to the most effective of our skills. We significantly respect the assist of our metropolis, state, and federal companions on this effort,” Trevino mentioned.
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