Visitor bitten by sharkColumbia man swimming in surf is nipped on hand By Noah Haglund (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Saturday, June 28, 2008
ISLE OF PALMS — A man told authorities that a shark bit his hand while he was swimming a short distance from the beach on Thursday, the Isle of Palms fire chief said. Officials were called to the scene near 7th Avenue at 11:19 a.m. The 37-year-old told authorities he was swimming in the breaking waves when the 4 1/2- to 5-foot-long shark nipped his hand, Fire Chief Ann Graham said. "He needed immediate medical attention, but it didn't look like he was going to have any long-term issues," Graham said. The man is from Columbia and had been vacationing in the area, the fire chief said. He declined to use an ambulance and went to East Cooper Medical Center in a personal vehicle. Afterward, authorities scanned the beach but found no reason forconcern. "It was an isolated incident and we hope to keep it that way," Graham said. Two people suffered suspected shark bites on the island on the same afternoon last August. A 9-year-old boy suffered a bite to his leg in the county park's public swimming area, and a 30-year-old man received a 3-inch gash on his ankle while bodysurfing about four blocks away. Graham remembered the boy stopping by the fire station with a blue cast shortly after he left the hospital. "He was doing fine, last we heard." Reach Noah Haglund at nhaglund@postandcourier.com or at 937-5550. |
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Comments
This article has 9 comment(s)
Posted by MissVAbch on June 28, 2008 at 7:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We were there when they had ordered everyone out of the water. What I don't understand is why the kids weren't allowed to let the water touch their toes. I have never seen a shark that was one inch big.
People started going past the lifeguarded area to swim. When I asked several lifeguards why the order, they were tight-lipped and had the 'no comment' attitude. Why the secret? It's not such a secret now with it coming out in the paper.
If beach goers knew about the attack, they could make an informed decision whether they wanted to go past the guarded area and swim with the risk. I don't think it would have been so crowded in the water past the stand if they had been informed of the immediate danger.
Posted by Tulane75 on June 28, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I haven't been in the water since 1975, the year Jaws came out. After reading about the crocodile swimming off of the IOP, I don't think I will be going to the beach at all, as crocs and gators are known to come out of the water and breath air.
In fact, from now on, I am going to sleep with a light on so that the dark doesn't get me!
Posted by katrenavantassle on June 28, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
MissVAbch, Its easier for them to do their jobs if they make sure everyone is completely out....the reason they make everyone get "completely" out of the water is that because KIDS DONT LISTEN and if you give them an inch they will take a mile, therefore if you told them its okay to stand in the water, while you are talking to your girlfriend they will eventually walk into the ocean further and further til they are up to their knees and a shark can swim there and grab them out to sea. I have seen a one inch shark. I have been shark fishing in the charleston harbor and around the beaches here alot and the baby sharks are one inch tall and about 6 inches long. But I understand your statement was made with sarcasm.
I was living in Florida most of my young life and I have swam out so far that the people on the beach looked like ants. I heard that now Florida is the Shark Attack Capital of the World, according to the National Shark Attack Files.
I never even saw a shark while swimming the entire time I lived in Florida, (1972 thru 1976) I lived on the beach and was in the water almost every day. And then, Jaws came out.
And just like Tulane75 above, I do go into the ocean or lakes (Lake Placid) any longer. I have a pool in my backyard and I swim in that.
Mother Nature is really pissed off at the world right now. Take Heed!!
Posted by RTC on June 28, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tulane, I had to laugh when I read your post. I went to the beach the very next day after seeing the first Jaws movie.
I was floating on a raft and had drifted a good ways out. I started hearing that music in my head and liked to have broke my neck getting back to shore. I have gone in the water many times since, but honestly I have never enjoyed the beach as much since that movie came out.
Shark attacks are rare, but you still keep that image in your head of something coming from underneath and scooping you up.
Posted by auger on June 28, 2008 at 6:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Shark encounters near the barrier islands are more common than you think. Most usually go unnoticed. Ever been in chest deep water off IOP, Sullivan's or Folly and feel "someone" bump into, or brush against, you? You turn around to look and no one is there? It was likely a nurse shark testing the cloudy water to see if you are a potential meal. It happens all the time. It is only that rare angry fellow that actually does a taste test. I've been "bumped" many times over the last several decades.
Posted by auger on June 28, 2008 at 6:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ps. Here is an interesting thought. The reported attacks almost always seem to be on tourists, not locals. Is it possible that the resident sharks have come to know the odor of locals as non food and the odor of tourists (with a different diet) as a potential meal? A possible Thesis topic for a grad or Doc student? If this idea works out for someone, you owe me a meal at The Crab Shack.
Posted by RTC on June 28, 2008 at 8:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
auger, very interesting observation. Maybe tourists taste better. Sort of like foreign cuisine?
I know exactly what you mean about being bumped. I have felt that quite a few times while sitting back in the water and waiting to get pulled up on skis. That's when you yell at the boat operator to hurry up.
Posted by KidYendor on June 28, 2008 at 11:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Beach swimming should be banned like cigarette smoking. It is much too dangerous with all the fish and rays and jellies going round and round you in the water. Lets not even talk about a man o' war. It is more dangerous than swirling second hand smoke. Just lay on the beach and get skin cancer instead.
Posted by FiscalConservative on June 29, 2008 at noon (Suggest removal)
We should outlaw shark bites. Then there will be no more bites because it will be illegal.