Man Bitten by Great White Shark at Southern California Beach

Man Bitten by Great White Shark at Southern California Beach

A swimmer was bitten by a great white shark on Saturday morning off Manhattan Beach in Southern California.

The attack happened around 9:30 a.m., according to the Associated Press. L.A. County Fire Department spokesman Rick Flores said the shark became “agitated” after a fisherman caught it on his hook and struggled for 30 minutes to reel it in.

That’s when the shark attacked the man, who was with a group of long-distance swimmers about 300 yards into the ocean. The fisherman cut the line, then a passing surfer put the injured man on his board and brought him to shore with help from lifeguards. 

The bitten man suffered “moderate” puncture wounds to his upper torso and was immediately taken to the hospital, where he was listed in stable condition, according to NBC Los Angeles.

Flores told the AP that the shark stayed in the area for 20 minutes and then left. Lifeguards temporarily closed off a one-mile span of water while they patrolled the area in boats to make sure the water was safe, while the beach remained open.

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