A 44-year-old American woman died after being bitten by a shark on Monday, the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) Public Affairs and Communications Department has confirmed.
Media reports said that the woman, a guest at the Sandals Royal Bahamian resort in Cable Beach, New Providence, was bitten while paddle boarding in waters near the resort.
The woman, believed to be from Boston, Massachusetts, was reportedly with a male relative nearly a mile from the shoreline when the shark attacked her
“A lifeguard on duty who observed what was happening went out on a rescue boat, retrieved the victim along with a male relative, and brought them to safety,” said Sergeant Desiree Ferguson from the RBPF’s Public Affairs and Communications Department,
“CPR was administered to the victim. However, she suffered injuries to the right side of her body, including the right hip region and also her right upper limb,” she added.
EMS personnel pronounced her dead.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of a guest while on a paddle boarding activity nearly a mile from the shore,” Sandals said in a statement.
“We wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the guest’s family and loved ones. We remain in close contact with them and are providing all support possible during this difficult time.
“Out of respect for our guests’ privacy and confidentiality, we cannot share further information at this time,” Sandals added.
The Tribune newspaper Tuesday quoted shark expert, Cristina Zenato, as saying that the woman was likely the victim of an “accidental bite,” by the shark.
“It appears that this was an investigative bite of an animal that would feed on animals of the size of a paddle board on the surface,” Zenato told the newspaper.
A jet ski operator, who is said to have witnessed the attack, claimed the victim had just married on Sunday and that he had seen the couple laughing and talking moments before the tragedy.
Zenato speculated that a tiger shark attacked the woman, though she emphasised she didn’t have all the information.
“As someone who works with sharks, it’s a small risk. It’s unfortunate that it happened, and I feel extremely heartbroken for this couple and for this lady and husband and for us in The Bahamas because it’s never a positive event, but again, it’s very, very rare, and the best thing we can do is try not to come up with reasons why or anything.
“But at the end of the day, it sounds like what I call an accidental bite,” Zenato told the Tribune newspaper.
The Bahamas has had several shark attacks this year.
Last month, a German tourist went missing after a shark attacked her in waters near West End, Grand Bahama.
In August, police found the body of a man floating at Saunders Beach with injuries they said were consistent with a shark attack.
In June, an American woman was attacked by a shark in waters south of Taino Beach, Grand Bahama.
