A surfer who was bitten by a shark near a major competition in Hawaii earlier this week has died after surgery.
The 56-year-old Lahaina man, whose name has not been released, was attacked by the shark at around 8am on Tuesday as he paddled out to into Honolua Bay. Though the man was initially listed as being in stable condition, his health quickly deteriorated after surgery, officials confirmed to Hawaii News Now.
There will be no competition at the Maui Pro today following a shark incident involving a recreational surfer this morning at Honolua Bay. The WSL is working with authorities and our thoughts are with the victim of this incident. The Maui Pro is on hold until further notice. pic.twitter.com/AGZSkF7wKZ
— World Surf League (@wsl) December 8, 2020
The World Surf League (WSL) suspended its Maui Pro competition after the attack, as the surfer was attacked close to where its competitors were due to ride the waves.
“The WSL has learned that Tuesday’s victim of the shark attack at Honolua Bay has tragically passed away,” the WSL tweeted. “Our thoughts and hearts are with the victim’s family and friends as well as the entire Maui surfing community.”
The WSL has learned that Tuesday's victim of the shark attack at Honolua Bay has tragically passed away.
Our thoughts and hearts are with the victim's family and friends as well as the entire Maui surfing community. pic.twitter.com/dCUECy710W
— World Surf League (@wsl) December 10, 2020
The Florida Museum of Natural History states that Hawaii ranks second among all states with 171 unprovoked shark attacks since 1837. The top state by a lot is Florida, with 852 shark attacks.
This comes one day after we reported that a 20 year-old surfer was attacked by a shark in Oregon. Cole Herrington was surfing with two friends on Sunday at a popular location called The Cove south of Seaside when a great white shark suddenly bit him as he dangled his feet over the surfboard.
The shark bit on both the board and Herrington’s lower leg, dragging him under the water at one point before finally releasing him. Thankfully, Herrington managed to survive, but experts say he should consider himself lucky to be alive.
“That fella has a lot to be thankful for,” A. Peter Klimley, a retired University of California professor who has written two books about sharks. “If a shark really wanted to consume him, it could have.”
Kimley explained that the shark likely released Herrington because it was attracted to the movement of his surfboard. He said that the shark likely let go of the young man, who wants to be an electrician, upon realizing that he was not a seal.
“If they don’t want to release something, they don’t have to,” Klimley added. “This surfer was small and helpless in the mouth of the shark. The shark made a decision it didn’t want to eat him and let him go.”
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.