Beachgoer airlifted after South Carolina suspected shark attack
The incident, in which local officials said the victim suffered major injuries to her leg, happened in waters off the south end of Hilton Head Island, a local dispatcher confirmed to USA TODAY Thursday, June 19.
The island is about 45 miles northeast of Savannah, Georgia.
"The incident involved a patient with a leg injury consistent with lacerations typically associated with a shark bite," a Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue official wrote in press release obtained by USA TODAY.
Crews responded at 12:07 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17, to a medical emergency near beach mile marker 24 in Sea Pines Beach, according to the release.
Lifeguards and firefighters treated the victim at the scene before she was transported to Hilton Head Island Airport, the release continues, where a medical helicopter flew her to a Savannah facility for further treatment.
The victim's age, name and condition were not immediately known on Thursday, June 19, but first-responders at the scene determined the injuries to be non-life threatening.
Shark siting: Massive great white shark resurfaces off North Carolina coast
The incident marked the first reported likely shark bite of Hilton Head's summer season, Shore Beach Service director Mike Wagner told USA TODAY.
The agency, which provides year-round beach patrol for 13.5 miles of the island's beaches according to its website, also responded to assist the victim.
Local charter captain Chip Michalove, The Island Packet reported, said Hilton Head beaches see two or three shark attacks each year, "occasionally seeing spikes of up to a half-dozen."
USA TODAY has reached out to Hilton Head fire officials for more information.North Carolina suspected shark attack: Warning issued toa beach visitors
If confirmed, the attack could be the state's first reported shark encounter with a human in 2025.
According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), 47 people were bitten in unprovoked attacks last year. Four of them died, including one person in the United States.
Each year, according to ISAF, the world averages about 65 documented shark attacks.
On average, six fatal attacks are reported each year.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shark attack reported in Hilton Head, victim suffered major leg injury
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