A shark bit a Maui surfer Friday morning, severing his leg, authorities said.
“The 61-year-old man was bitten by a shark Friday morning while surfing at a surf spot known as Sandpiles off Waifu Beach Park,” Maui County said in a news release.
When police arrived at the scene, they first tried to control the bleeding with a tourniquet. His leg was “completely amputated just below the knee,” officials said.
Witnesses told CBS affiliate Hawaii News Now that other surfers helped the man swim back to shore.
“I heard this scream and I looked and all of a sudden I saw him splashing in the water. I didn’t know what was going on,” eyewitness David Busk told Hawaii News.・Told Now. “…He swam probably more than half way back and then they saw someone jump in, so they took him inside.”
The man was conscious while being treated on land, but was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition.
“We would like to commend the patient for his strength and ability to reach shore on his own,” Maui Fire Department Deputy Chief Jeff Geese told reporters, according to KGMB. “I mean, it’s extraordinary. Whatever good Samaritans have offered to help, I’d like to commend them as well.”
Authorities closed the beach park following the incident. Authorities warned people not to enter the water in the area. A public warning to stay out of the water for one mile in each direction of the incident will remain in effect until at least noon Saturday. The warning will be extended if there are shark sightings in the area.
Maui fire and marine safety officials were patrolling the waters with rescue watercraft and drones. State officials installed shark warning signs and helped cordon off the area.
No details were released as to what type of shark was involved.
In June, famous surfer Tamayo Perry was killed He was attacked by a shark while surfing off Oahu’s North Shore.
