Following a shark attack on Monday near Rockaway Beach, one of the most well-liked Atlantic coast attractions in New York City, authorities reported that a woman was in critical condition.
The attack was reported at 5:49 p.m. in the water at 59th Street, according to the public information office of the New York Police Department.
According to spokesman Michael Hinck, she was still in critical condition late on Monday night at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.
The victim was a swimmer who was 50 years old who was bitten on her left leg, according to the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation.
The incident prompted police to search unsuccessfully for the shark from a helicopter while lifeguards cleared the beach, according to a statement from the parks department.
Tuesday’s opening of the beach is tentatively scheduled for 11 a.m. because officials will continue to keep an eye out for sharks, according to the parks department.
The parks division stated, “We hope for a full recovery for this swimmer.” Although this was a terrifying incident, we want to remind New Yorkers that Rockaway shark bites are relatively uncommon.
A month ago, there were numerous shark attacks recorded in the seas off Fire Island, off Quogue, a Long Island village, and off Babylon, New York, all to the northeast of Rockaway.
This summer, sand tiger sharks, which can reach a length of 10 feet, have been seen relatively frequently along the surf line off Long Island.
According to specialists at the International Shark Attack File at the Florida Museum, they are drawn to the Long Island coast’s bays and baitfish.
According to records from the previous year, eight of the 20 shark attacks reported in New York State since 1837 occurred in 2022.