SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (KVEO) — Shark attacks disrupted Fourth of July celebrations Thursday at South Padre Island in Texas as two people were taken to the hospital with bites, at least one of them severe, authorities said.
Police were called for an attack on a man who was severely bitten around 11 a.m., according to Nikki Soto, the South Padre Island city secretary. He was initially treated at the beach by firefighters and police.
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department said later in a statement that two people were bitten and two more “encountered” the shark but were not seriously hurt. One of the bite victims was taken to a hospital in Brownsville, and the other was “flown out for further treatment.”
An eyewitness described the chaos and aftermath of the first attack to Nexstar’s KVEO.
“The lifeguards were trying to get people out of the water and everyone’s yelling to come out,” Ashley Silva said. “It was a pretty scary sight with all the blood and everything.”
Based on witness reports and images on social media, Game Warden Capt. Chris Dowdy said authorities believe a single shark about 6 feet (about 1.8 meters) long was responsible for the bites.
Beach patrol, firefighters and police were patrolling the shore and flying drones after the attacks, Soto said.
The last reported shark attack in the area was five years ago, according to Dowdy. Texas Parks & Wildlife is assisting the investigation.
Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. released a statement requesting beachgoers and swimmers take precautions when going to the beach and entering the water due to the incidents.
“The County wants to extend its thoughts and prayers to the victims and families of these extremely rare and unusual attacks,” said Treviño. “The County is working closely with Mayor
Patrick McNulty, the City of South Padre Island, and our state and federal partners to patrol the beaches and take appropriate action.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.