At least one woman was hospitalized Saturday after a shark attack closed a Hawaii beach on Labor Day weekend.
The attack occurred in the afternoon at Paia Bay on Maui’s North Shore, according to the Maui Police Department.
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A 51-year-old French woman suffered a “serious bite” and was rescued by bystanders, who pulled her from the water and handed her off to emergency officials, a report noted.
“We had all the officers come, lifeguards, police department — asking that everyone stay out of the water,” said Cinthia Pacheco, a bystander at a neighboring beach. “I think my first reaction was really shocked, and I just felt so bad for the person.”
The victim, whose identity has not been confirmed, was rushed to Maui Memorial Medical Center, authorities said.
Following the attack, beachgoers were warned to stay out of the water, which had become murky due to heavy rain, until at least midday Sunday, according to the report.
Murky water puts humans at greater risk for shark attacks, the report noted.
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“When a predator is pursuing a meal, oftentimes in the wild, they’ll grab at the first thing that they sense or see that could be a potential meal. In cases of accidental shark bites, often it’s just that case of mistaken identity,” Sea Life Park Aquarist Supervisor Michelle Benedict said.
At least two other shark attacks have taken place in Hawaii in 2022, according to the report.
