A 15-year-old girl is recovering at home after suffering injuries to an injury “consistent with those typically associated with a shark bite.”
The teen was surfing in the waters off the 109th Street Beach in Stone Harbor when she was attacked. She was treated at the scene for lacerations to her calf and foot before she was transported to Cape Regional Medical Center. Officials say she received six stitches and her injuries were non-life threatening.
With the upcoming holiday weekend, officials say no restrictions on beach activities are planned, but urges all beachgoers to exercise caution and adhere to any safety guidelines issued by local authorities. Officials also say shark attacks are very rare, and according to the International Shark Attack File Beach Injuries and Fatalities Report, the odds of a shark attack in the United States are 1 in 11.5 million. However low the risk, The Borough encourages all visitors to remain vigilant.
“Stone Harbor remains a beloved and popular destination for beachgoers from near and far,” Mayor Judy Davies-Dunhour also said in a statement. “The local police and fire departments are fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of both residents and tourists. They are taking appropriate measures to thoroughly assess the situation and provide necessary updates to the public.”
