Swimmer bitten on the foot at New York City beach in a suspected shark attack
A swimmer was bitten on the foot in a suspected shark attack at a New York City beach on Friday, prompting authorities to temporarily close the beach.
The attack at Jones Beach came a day after multiple shark sightings were reported at other New York City and Long Island beaches.
The New York City Parks Department said the man suffered lacerations to his feet while swimming at Field 6 of Jones Beach State Park.
Lifeguards responded immediately and an ambulance took the victim to a hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to the department.
Swimming was suspended while authorities searched for sharks and other dangerous sea creatures. After an hour-long search, none were found and swimming was allowed to continue, but swimmers were limited to submerging waist-deep in water, the ministry said.
New York City officials reported multiple shark sightings at Rockaway Beach in Queens on Thursday and closed the beaches intermittently. New York City Emergency Management also issued an alert advising of closures and urging beachgoers to follow the guidance of lifeguards.
Further east, lifeguards on the Long Island beach spotted a shark in the water off Point Lookout on Thursday and ordered people out of the ocean immediately. Point Lookout and neighboring Hempstead beaches were also temporarily closed to swimming following the sighting.
The closing of the beaches is coming like this: record breaking temperature It continues to grip the eastern United States, drawing large crowds to beaches in the region.
Shark sightings have become more common as authorities increase the use of drones to search for sharks in the water. But although sharks are commonly found in waters off the coast of the United States, sharks bites are rareexperts say.
Gavin Naylor, director of the shark research program at the Florida Museum of Natural History. he told the Associated Press Between 60 and 80 unprovoked bites are known to occur worldwide each year. It is extremely rare for two or more people to be bitten at close range.
