Swimmer hospitalized following ‘brutal’ shark bite off Hawaii Island

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A 68-year-old Waikoloa man is in stable condition after suffering a shark bite Tuesday morning.

According to the Hawaii Island police, the man was swimming off Anaehoomalu Bay about 8:15 a.m. when the 12-foot tiger shark bit him on the lower left torso.

Witnesses said the man was about 50 to 70 yards off shore when the shark “got a good chunk of the left side of his back rear.”

“It was hectic,” said witness Anthony Singh. “It was brutal.”

Investigators said the swimmer attempted to fend off the shark with a diving knife and the shark released the swimmer.

Witnesses added that nearby paddleboarders helped pull the man out of the water. Once on shore, they said the man was coherent and responsive.

“Our friend, yesterday, was right out there where the swimmer was,” said another witness Anna Kathryn Sengupta of California.

“I guess it’s just wrong place, wrong time,” Sengupta added.

Officials said the Waikoloa man was taken to Queens North Hawaii Community Hospital in serious condition. As of 2:40 p.m., police said he is in stable condition and will be transported to Oahu for treatment.

Anaehoomalu Bay remains closed and warning signs have been posted.

This is the second reported shark bite in Hawaii in recent days.

Last week, a woman went missing after she apparently suffered a shark bite while she was snorkeling with her husband off South Maui.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Officer Ansel Robinson at (808) 887-3080.

This story will be updated.

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