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Surfer Fights Back Against Shark Attack
20 Mar
Summary
- A surfer fought off a shark by striking its nose.
- He sustained injuries to both legs and returned to shore.
- Beaches were closed for 48 hours following the incident.
A surfer recounted his harrowing experience of being bitten by a shark while at Big River Beach in Mendocino Headlands State Park. The 39-year-old, James Eastman, described seeing the shark's head above water and acting quickly in survival mode, striking the animal's nose to free himself.
He successfully returned to shore on his surfboard, sustaining injuries to both legs. Off-duty lifeguards nearby provided immediate assistance. Eastman was transported to a local hospital, where his wife, an ER nurse, was working.
Experts noted that such encounters are very rare in California, with only 234 recorded incidents since 1950. State Parks implemented a 48-hour beach closure to ensure public safety and are collecting DNA samples to investigate the incident further. Eastman remains hopeful about returning to the sport he loves.
