California: A 30-year-old man dies from a shark bite Authorities closed the beach
The incident happened on Friday in the Moro Bay port area, and city officials believe the victim is a surfer, although his identity is not yet known to them. “Fortunately, the weather has meant that there are not many people at sea”
A 31-year-old man died Friday morning following a shark bite off the shores of Morro Bay, in what is considered the first death in 18 years in San Luis Obispo County. Following the severe tragedy, California authorities have announced the closure of several beaches in the area.
31-year-old dies from encountering shark in water (Photo: AP)
“This is a terrible accident,” Eric Underby, director of the Morro Bay Port Patrol, told CNN, noting that there were about 30 people on the beach. “Fortunately, the weather and wind stopped the surfing, so there are not many people in the sea, but we closed the beaches for safety.”
He added: “Mother Nature was by our side, because the number of victims could have been higher.” He said it was not clear if anyone had witnessed the incident, but said a surfer who was at the scene identified the body and floated it to the beach. The victim, whose name was determined at the scene, has not yet been identified, but Underby said he appears to be a surfer.
Also, county investigators have begun investigating the case, and a state fish and wildlife biologist has arrived at the scene to try to find out what type and size of shark was bitten.
In 2019 there was an incident with a shark in the area, but the result was not fatal, student Nick Waffner was bitten by a large white shark near the Montana de Oro National Park. Another attack had taken place on the same beach four years earlier.
The last fatal incident recorded in the area was in August 2003, when a woman in her 50s was attacked by a shark while swimming with seals, the favorite prey of the great white shark.
Underby said the presence of seals in the area should be a warning to people spending time on the beaches. “If you see a lot of birds or seals in the water, it’s a sign that you need to get out of the water.”
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