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Subscribe to RSSChris Myers, who was swimming with his son, suffered severe lacerations to his legs and ankles in a suspected shark attack at Ballston Beach in Truro, Mass.
A man who was attacked by a suspected shark while body surfing with his son near Cape Cod is expected to live, officials say.
The attack happened around 3:30 p.m. Monday when Chris Myers was body surfing and swimming with his teenage son off the coast of Ballston Beach, part of the Cape Cod National Seashore in Truro, Mass.
Witnesses on the beach say they saw a dorsal fin emerge from the water. Moments later, Myers was bleeding profusely from his feet and ankles.
“All of the sudden, between the two swimmers we saw a fin come up and something came through the water,” Anne-Marie Corner, who witnessed the attack, told NBC News affiliate WHDH. “It was a very large fin, easily 15 inches high, and came across and torqued a little towards the second swimmer and within seconds we realized it was a shark and the swimmer had been attacked.”
“It was, like, two people and this large dark blue-black thing came up and kind of torqued around and you saw this big dorsal fin and it, like, went back down,” another witness, Walter Palmer, told WHDH.
Myers is treated after a suspected shark attack Monday at Ballston Beach in Truro, Mass., on Cape Cod.
Gregory Skomal, a shark biologist with the state's Department of Fish and Game, later told a press conference that "the weight of evidence points to a white shark."
Witnesses say that beachgoers -- including a doctor and a nurse -- jumped into action immediately after the attack. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, bandaged Myers' legs and carried him off the beach on a stretcher.
Myers is being treated at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where he will undergo surgery.
Ballston Beach was open Tuesday, but officials posted signs around the beach warning beachgoers of the recent shark sighting.
Truro Town Administrator Rex Peterson told the Boston Globe that even if it was determined to be a shark attack, the beach would remain open because “sharks swim up and down the coast so closing that one particular beach didn’t’ seem to make a whole lot of sense.”
There have been concerns about shark attacks all summer. Earlier this month a kayaker had a close call with the shark, WHDH reported, and since June there have been several shark sightings near seals.
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Why can't somebody come up with a Shark Repelling Device? Seems like a good research investment. People should be able to wear them on the shorts like a belt of something, or on the ankle like an anklet. It should be something that keeps the shark away.
Oceans are to be enjoyed by both, and we are the smarter species, so its upto us to devise a safety device which is good for the animal and us. We owe it to the Sharks.
Excellent idea! Safe for humans and saves a lot of sharks from being hunted down. Someone build it!
The National Speargun Association says every swimmer should carry a bang-stick, then the sharks would have to think twice before biting
This would be very useful...but I think in a broader sense, something akin to a net system but without risk of entanglement. Wearing something ready on the ankle or on a belt wouldn't do very well to the person wearing it if it was bulky or got in the way of their swimming activity. Plus, it wouldn't help preventing an attack since they're so spontaneous; you'd be bitten before you could use the device.
Still, the best prevention is simply keeping an eye out and knowing sharks' general habits. They like to hunt especially near daybreak and dusk. If there are seals in the water, stay out. Don't wear reflective gear that could attract their attention and don't splash around too much like an animal in distress.
A really good invention would be something that could enclose a certain part of beach...perhaps something like an emitter that could send out signals harmless to humans but that the sharks can pick up on with their electromagnetic sensitivities.
Not to be rude, but, I don't think there is really anyway to prevent a shark attatck. Has anyone ever considered that if you go into the ocean or the sea, that there are creatures that inhabit that domain, and we Humans, are not the top of the food chain, there?
It's true, if you go into the Ocean or the Sea, something may bite you, or sting you! If that scares you, then get out of the water, and stay out!! I'm sorry that this man was biten by a shark, but, when you swim in the ocean you take that chance. Maybe the Media should go report what happens on the land, that we might be able to fix, instead of running these stories about people who are dumn enough to participate in risky behavior, and then have to pay for it!
Doug, a bang stick would not cause any shark to "think twice." It's merely a means to kill sharks. It's pretty effective for divers but if every swimmer had one, I can pretty much guarantee more people will be injured and killed than shark attacks prevented.
It's not the sharks fault that its attracted to finding food. you see sharks dont think people taste good, they just want to see what you are, and the best way for a shark to do that is to taste you, luckily sharks dont think we taste good Since people have been over fishing and the sharks normal foods have been dropping, they've been searching for food closer to shore, and they're espeicly attracted to peoplee surfing or body boarding. i think people should stop "hunting down" sharks who have just been curious or hungry (thinking your a seal because we dont taste good for sharks)
If I seen a shark coming I would crap my shorts and maybe the smell would be enough of a shark deterrent.
The solution is to eat more shark and let the other fish species recover. The reason we are seeing more shark attacks is because we are no longer killing them as in days past. As with any wild creature, those which have no fear of man must be subjected to population control by mankind. This doesn't set well with you tree huggers and you can respond as you please but rest assured that I will kill any and every shark I may encounter, given the opportunity, for the remainder of my life regardless of what anyone else thinks about it.
Doug -
What a recipe for error. People will be killing sharks left and right and probably each other as well. Most people don't see the shark coming. If I was lucky enough to kill the shark before it ate me, I would be wary of all the sharks that would be drawn to the carcass.
Will -
I have all the confidence in the world that you will continue killing everything you can get your hands on. Good for you. What a legacy you'll leave behind.
I’ll say it again, sharks are good for nothing!!!! All they
do is kill, and they don't kill or hunt because they're hungry, they do it because it is their nature! They are a huge threat to all of us. Since I moved to Flori-Duh I had to quit surfing, my kids are not allowed to go to the beach, because a trip to the beach it’s not worth the risk. Now I ask you guys, do we
really need to deprive ourselves from all of the things that nature offers us, just to keep an over population of killer sharks??? Nope, I don’t think so!!! Why should we be afraid of going to the beach;is the FU%$ beach, is not like we’re trying to swing out in the open high seas where one can, and should expect to be attacked at any moment! Stop the bull sh!t with the kids gloves and the sharks. There’s an over population of them; we can, and we should do what we have to before it gets even worst.
Will, shark populations are way down. As for simply killing sharks, many are now endangered or threatened species. These are beautiful creatures that have more right to the water than we have. We are not normally on their menu. That is why there are so many single bite accounts. Once they realize we are a seal or fish they, usually, continue on their way. Please remember, we are in their home when we enter the ocean, not the other way around.
You also need to remember, they are a significant part of their environment. Removing them from that environment could result in the total destruction of that environment.
They have a shark repelling device. Its called stay out of water.
Thou, humans kill about 100 million sharks every year. Sharks kill between 10 to 15 people every year. Us killing them is almost completely on purpose. Shark attacks on people are, usually, an accident. As soon as they realize we are not part of their menu, they usually leave the area. Very few second bites in an attack.
Sharks play a significant roll in maintaining the environment in the ocean. Removing them will have a significant negative impact on that environment. Many species are already threatened or endangered.
I am really not sure why you would be so concerned about shark attacks while surfing in Florida. I have lived here much of my life and spent hours and hours, swimming, diving and surfing. In that time I have seen very few sharks. I hope you realize that you are in far more danger of being injured or killed getting yourself to the beach and back home than you ever will be in the water. In fact, you stand a better chance of dieing in your shower at home than as a result of a shark attack. Living in Florida, you have a greater chance of being struck by lightning. You even have a better chance of being killed by a falling coconut than you do being killed by a shark.
Just for the record, in the U.S., about 400,000 people die each year as a result of smoking; about 40,000 people die in traffic accidents; and another approximate 40,000 die of the flu. World wide, about 10 to 15 people dies as a result of shark attacks every year.
I know several people with the same sort of fear you have, concerning sharks but, I really don't understand it.
Shark..Shark...Shark...it's shark week...
will58
The solution is to eat more shark and let the other fish species recover. The reason we are seeing more shark attacks is because we are no longer killing them as in days past. As with any wild creature, those which have no fear of man must be subjected to population control by mankind. This doesn't set well with you tree huggers and you can respond as you please but rest assured that I will kill any and every shark I may encounter, given the opportunity, for the remainder of my life regardless of what anyone else thinks about it.
#1.8 - Tue Jul 31, 2012 6:47 PM EDT
God damn Will, outstanding!!! Finally somebody has shown
common sense. Will please count me in. We are THE dominant species, therefore
we should not be afraid to go to the beach, much more less be walking on egg
shells around natural born killers. I'm down with ya, count me in!!!!!
What about Chum flavored tanning lotion............umm, never mind :)
tiredofhypocrites-794827
Thou, humans kill about 100 million sharks every year. Sharks kill between 10 to 15 people every year. Us killing them is almost completely on purpose. Shark attacks on people are, usually, an accident. As soon as they realize we are not part of their menu, they usually leave the area. Very few second bites in an attack.
Sharks play a significant roll in maintaining the environment in the ocean. Removing them will have a significant negative impact on that environment. Many species are already threatened or endangered.
I am really not sure why you would be so concerned about shark attacks while surfing in Florida. I have lived here much of my life and spent hours and hours, swimming, diving and surfing. In that time I have seen very few sharks. I hope you realize that you are in far more danger of being injured or killed getting yourself to the beach and back home than you ever will be in the water. In fact, you stand a better chance of dieing in your shower at home than as a result of a shark attack. Living in Florida, you have a greater chance of being struck by lightning. You even have a better chance of being killed by a falling coconut than you do being killed by a shark.
Just for the record, in the U.S., about 400,000 people die each year as a result of smoking; about 40,000 people die in traffic accidents; and another approximate 40,000 die of the flu. World wide, about 10 to 15 people dies as a result of shark attacks every year.
I know several people with the same sort of fear you have, concerning sharks but, I really don't understand it.
#1.13 - Tue Jul 31, 2012 7:19 PM EDT
You said it yourself, you’ve never seem a Freaking shark attack;
no wonder you’re so complacent with their behavior. Well as an ex-surfer I’ve
seem way to many friends, and strangers alike knock of their surf boards and
loose the limbs in the best case scenario, or their life in such a horrific way like I have. So keep on thinking the way you do; I will do my best to keep on killing every shark that comes within range of my
spear gun which is equipped with a 12 gauge 00 Buck shot shell bang stick. Rests
assure that I will keep on hunting them down. Let me whish you good luck, like
you obviously have had so far; and that you never will have to witness a friend
or a family member being eaten alive by one of these monsters.
Can you tell where my fear of sharks comes from now?? Good luck to ya!!!!
I pulling for the shark next time you meet! It certainly will raise the Earth overall IQ and give us back a little oxygen!
There actually is a shark repelent that works in a large area. The problem is it is mostly relegated to one species. They have it for Geat Whites, Lemon Sharks, and certain other species. It's something that dying sharks release into theb water when they are fatally wounded. The truth is we need sharks in the oceans more than we need humans there. They are important to restabilising the balance of nature in the oceans. Attacking sharks is not the solution to anything. If you came on my property and threatened me or my animals, or possesions I would be likely to shoot you one way or another. Some of you are talking like you never got past sixth-grade. Go back and catch up with Jethro Boudine. There area world of educations on this planet that help you understand the world better, if you would take the time to watch them. Steveo-3785349 understands.
Mark O Pierce
There actually is a shark repelent that works in a large area. The problem is it is mostly relegated to one species. They have it for Geat Whites, Lemon Sharks, and certain other species. It's something that dying sharks release into theb water when they are fatally wounded. The truth is we need sharks in the oceans more than we need humans there. They are important to restabilising the balance of nature in the oceans. Attacking sharks is not the solution to anything. If you came on my property and threatened me or my animals, or possesions I would be likely to shoot you one way or another. Some of you are talking like you never got past sixth-grade. Go back and catch up with Jethro Boudine. .There area world of educations on this planet that help you understand the world better, if you would take the time to watch them. Steveo-3785349 understands.
#1.19 - Tue Jul 31, 2012 9:04 PM EDT
Ha, ha, ha, ha!!! So says the man who can't even make sense out of one sentence. But of course you agree with Steveo. You two are one of kind; neither of you can spell, much more less write. Stop embarrassing yourselves.
Lead article headline on front page:
Heck, I was wondering why a "great white" would be hanging around Cape COP.
Sheeeesh, and to think there are HUNDREDS/THOUSANDS of college graduates unable to get work. Maybe they should go to NBC STAFF........
I love the "Cape Cop" headline! We have a "Copper Harbor" here, but no sharks!
There have been a few sharks spotted in the Cape Cod area this summer. Her's a thought. Don't be a brainless nitwit and swim where the sharks are. If you do a quick search there are photos of a guy on a kayak from just a couple weeks ago with a huge shark on his tail in that same area.
Here is a clue. That SHOULD be an indicator to adults, with brains, not to go in the water there and body surf with your kids. And now we got this moron (Thou) saying we should just kill them. Is that your answer for an animal or any living thing that inconveniences your fun? Kill it?
Here's an idea Mr. Killer (Thou), maybe learn to respect nature, man. Like maybe before you venture into THEIR territory you educate yourself about animal behavior and feeding habits so you don't end up on the menu.
Try not be a stupid caveman with a prehistoric mindset. It's called being a proactive intelligent human being. Sharks have been here for millions of years and are amazing and fascinating. You are far from it.
I had to stroll down a long ways to be able to reply to humanbieng. By the way did you mean humanbeing? Any way your comment is best. A small device that emits a sound annoying to sharks and travels at least twenty meters in the water. It wouldn't have to be any larger than the tracking bracelets on criminals that are out on bond or parole. Can be worn on wrist or ankle. Since it wasn't my idea but yours Human get it copyrighted then find a marine biologist to help you develop it, you'll both be rich. If you don't want to, let me know I'll run with the idea. And by the way I find it hard to believe there is any shortage of sharks, they are every freaking where you look.
With that attitude, may it be very short.
r u people nuts!why would u go n to someones backyard and b wildered that u got eaten!mother nature has been around for thousands of years!if they ate that old prune what would they do to some young tender meat!why does stupidity make news!
mozzie-600 ul @!$%# if u eat reguraly1
Thou ... outstanding idea ... actually maybe you should eliminate everything you don't like or understand. Sharks are a HUGE threat to us ... it amazing humans aren't extinct yet because of them. You're not running for office by any chance are you?
I was impressed that 2 different witnesses interviewed used the word "torqued" correctly when asked what they saw.
I was watching a program a few weeks back and they are very close to developing a shark repellent that has been shown to work 100% of the time .
It actually puts out an electrical current that we cannot detect but sharks receptors around there snouts that they use to detect the electrical current in heart beats and movement "do" detect it. To a shark it's painful because they are so sensitive to electrical impulses and they immediately take off in the other direction.
On another note, some of you who say we have to "eat" more sharks and that they are good for nothing need to get a life.
We are "WAY" overfishing our Oceans and they need to find food elsewhere. When you have no food in your fridg, you go shopping correct? Well,...all species shop for food or die.
I live in NJ and two years ago I was off the coast striped bass fishing when a Great White circled our boat. I swear when I say it was almost as long as our boat (22' Grady White) and not only did it scare the living daylights out of us but it was also so awesome that we couldn't believe our eyes. The thing swam so gracefully and looked like a freakin' submarine.
Bottom line is they are part of our food chain and we need to protect them along with all other species on earth.
Most sharks (bulls exempted) aren't mindless predators; hence, the reason a 15" dorsal left a man alive and intact. Great White's aren't Jaws, with limitless energy..... prey is an energy expenditure and attacks are meant to garner food. Sharks are also subject to feeding on what's readily available and especially in India due to funeral practices have developed different tastes in rare parts of their habitat; however, this probable Great White tasted and left.
Many comments about over fishing, ecological changes and current changes due to continual climate changing patterns throughout history (yes, prior to humans) have all contributed to shark, as more or less of a community, habitat movement. Also, allbeit logical, research is being done to determine affects of skills on aging or sickened sharks; sonar, vision, impulse declines due to age, sicknesses, chemicals, etc.. .
Will sharks eat a human? Certainly have and on occasion always will as will lions, tigers and bears... oh my! Respect and not cowardly killing should've been learned by humans but alas has not been and over fear and $$ we continue to do decimate nature over and over again.
Living in northeast Ohio, I'd feel safer on the oceans' beaches than in east Cleveland after perusing the homicide rates.... same with damn near any major city in any state. Any suburb will have at least one fatality involving vehicular accidents every year.... every one. With science currently as well as having been working on sonar repellant devices for some time, oceanic activities will become even safer yet.
Creek Dog; Amazing encounter..... jealous but had to be one beautiful moment! Grady White also a great, great craft; working towards getting a boat soon for Lake Erie once again. Not the ocean, love that... but does do amazing amounts of good for me to be on the water!
There are devices that can be used, but are a bit pricey for the average person. Check out a product called shark shield.
The shark that followed the kayaker was a basking shark. They're filter feeders, and only dangerous to krill and tiny fish.
basking shark?
Kardashian, eh?
How about staying out of their territory? What a concept.. respect for ANY other lifeform on this planet. The guy bitin was a fat lazy butterball. I would have confused him for food myself.
"Staying out of their territory?" You mean never swim in the ocean? What a novel idea Marks. It would probably be best if we never went in the woods, either. Those are for bears and wolves only. Also the jungle, that belongs to tigers. Don't be climbing any mountains either, out of respect for the mountain lions.
Really great idea.
He may have been a butterball, but I think you're the turkey.
Marks how do you know what his ballz looked like.............the picture I saw he had on swim trunks.
Really, how about staying out of their territory eh? How
about we destroy all of our cities, and exterminate all humans so that the wild
creatures that use to inhabit those places can reclaim them for themselves? You’re
a moron. It is not like we’re swimming out in the Open Ocean, or high seas!!!! We’re
talking about being able to take a swim on a beach without the fear of being eaten alive by a natural born killer like the freaking sharks!!!
" How
about we destroy all of our cities, and exterminate all humans so that the wild
creatures that use to inhabit those places can reclaim them for themselves? You’re
a moron. It is not like we’re swimming out in the Open Ocean, or high seas!!!!"
Obviously, you are the moron. He was refering to staying out of the oceans. The last time I checked, those cities that you are talking about is on land.
Sounds like the script from the movie Jaws.
Why cant we just de tooth the sharks like we de claw cats? It seems crazy to me we let these dangerous animals in the water with us.
I hope you are kidding but, just in case, you might want to do a little research on shark teeth and how they are replaced. There is also the issue with us being in their home, not the other way around.
Lumis why do you think people aren't de toothing sharks...
Either he WAS snagged by a shark or he WASN'T. It's not the kind of wound that an eel or a ray would leave. Report what happened. The only, and I mean ONLY animal in the sea capable of mimicking a shark bite, because she is i9n fact a shark, is a Laurie Buchanan, long dead since her last sighting in 1915, where she feasted on the dead and dying men of the Lusitania. Shame they never caught this animal, but legend has it she choked to death eating her own young. (Strange and Amazing facts of the Sea, Ed. C. Kramer, Lippencourt, 1929).
Low doses of lithium.
Why low doses? As much as FritzNH can handle.
lumis sounds as though he's a total crack-pot. I mean INSANE!!
I find it interesting that this article was posted on msn right after they posted another article about dangerous beaches around the world. Most were dangerous because of shark attacks. What timing!
Ha=Ha=Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha. You're lucky, the shark was only looking for a little something to nibble on!
We dont let bears walk down town so why do we let dangerous fish in our territorial waters? They are a threat more peole are killed by fish than by terrorist the government should really take steps to stop them NOT ONE MORE DEATH
More people are killed by people in a week than sharks attack in a year. Maybe we should eliminate people to prevent them from killing each other. ;-)
You go into a sharks territory don't be surprised if it wants to see how you taste.
On average, there are about 200 shark attacks on people, world wide, each year. Only about 10 to 15 result in death. The trip to and from the water remains FAR more dangerous than the swim itself.
I am enjoying these shark attacts on people because in another 40 years there won't be any more sharks..:-(
You are a lot more likely to die from a car wreck on your way too or from the beach than being bitten by a shark muck less dying from the attack. Drowning while swimming kills a lot more people than any other cause of death from being on the water. We have had more people injured or die on the Lake of the Ozarks alone from PWCs (Wave Runner) accidents than all the shark bites in the USA year. I am willing to bet that in the USA more people are killed riding PWCs every year than all the shark attacks worldwide in a decade. Yet people use them even knowing that improperly used they are deadly. Anything that is fun carries some element of risk.
Forest Fires and Over Fishing cause Wild Animals and Sharks to come into our area, Man causes this, and those areas are their home, if you want to play in their home be aware and respect them.
'Its like a prehistoric fish', They caught it of the coast of Madagascar. '
Damn New Englanders
Ok tree huggers, This is about a shark bite we do not want propaganda about global warming... Its a shark bite whats the big deal it happens all the time.... get over it.
Just sayin
I live in Texas and occasionally the family goes down to the coast to fish and swim. I always check with the park rangers to see if there have been shark activity, rip currrents or other hazards to be aware of. We have never sighted a shark, let alone been bitten by one. One of my sons was bitten by a small barracuda. Those fish are fast. His wound was like surgeon just cut a hunk of meat out of his thigh. Smooth, clean and neatly done. I think the "cuda" was after the fish he had caught and had in a net bag wading in the surf. As often as I have warned them both about not doing that, sometimes you have to get bit before you learn.
People who go swimming or surfing where there are seals present should know that that is the natural food for many species of sharks as well as Orcas. If they go swimming and get bit, it is their fault. They should know better and stay out of the water or go to a beach that does't have seals. Australia is another matter entirely. Salt water crocs don't care if you are in the water, snoozing on the beach, or just taking a walk, they will grab you, pull you into the water, drown you and then snack at their liesure. They are Australia's number one predetor. Stay wary and stay awake.
Thanks Gary. This is by far the most rationally presented argument in this debate about swimming in the water 'when sharks are in there'. A lot of these statements in favor of killing sharks remind me of 3 year olds wanting to do something that their parents won't allow. They then start to throw a 'TT', throw things around and whine, whine, whine.
Yeah, I am a tree hugger . . proud of it. More than that, I realize that humans do not exist in a vacuum. So killing things just because they are interferring with your fun is well . . . . kind of knee jerk. Everything here has a purpose. Just because someone can't figure out what that purpose is does not make that purpose non-existant.
If you go walking in the forrest (w/o a gun), know that there are animals in the forrest that will dispatch you. If you get gotten . . . . don't blame the animal, Blame Yourself (couldn't resist that).
I went boggie boarding once off of the North Coast of Hawaii, I was about 150 yards or so off shore. I enjoyed it, had a great time, couldn't stop thinking about sharks, will probably NEVER do that again. Thank the LORD that I didn't end up as a snack. If I had, then who or what would be the blame????
Just Sayin'!!!!
Crocs scare the living daylights out of me.
Dun dun, Dun dun, Dunta Dun Dun, Dunta Dun Dun, TuttlaDaaaaa! Eeeeeeeeeeek!
Wow-everywhere you turn it's another shark attack. I used to live in HI and they are always lurking around-you just have to try and stay alert-but they're not one of the worlds best predators by accident-they've had a very very long time to hone their skills. We just got here in comparison.
More People DIE from Mountain Climbing than SHARKS! I Don't Hear of Any Mountain Repellant! maybe REPELING!
More people die from fast (FAT) Foods than do sharks. Maybe we should ban Mc Donalds, Burger King, and others. The guy attacked, looked like he had a few burgers in his time. Maybe the shark thought he looked like a Mc Nugget...HAHAHAHAHA
Maybe we could get Teabag to take out a couple of fast food joints with his speargun.
Michelle, that wasn't right.
We're Swimming with MORE Sharks on LAND! than in the WATER!
Every time I walk into a bank. Steve
YEA! We Call Them, Cape Cod CHIPS! in RI
WHATs a SUSPECTED Shark Attack? are they having a LINEUP?
That's an attack by an "alleged shark." Can't be too careful before there's been a conviction. The shark might get a lawyer, and sue for defamation. (Insert lawyers = sharks joke here.)
Theres NOTHING I Can Think of That Takes a BITE OUTTAYA in the WATER! like THAT! but I Don't Wanna ScareYa!
I could list a whole bunch of Trivial Things People DIE of Than This BULLSHlT!