ENCINITAS, Calif. – A 13-year-old boy is in unknown condition after being attacked by a shark and airlifted to a California hospital.
Witnesses said the boy was fishing for lobster for the first time when the attack happened. The boy reportedly suffered traumatic injuries to his ear and shoulder.
Authorities describe the attack as nonfatal, according to the Associated Press.
A man says he was fishing from his kayak when he heard a scream and saw the boy swim frantically toward him. “And when he got bit, he didn’t swim to shore, he panicked and started swimming towards, you know, us,” said Chad Hammel, who helped rescue the boy.
The 13-year-old was then brought to shore and airlifted to a local trauma center. There is no word on his condition at this time.
Witnesses described the shark at an estimated 11 feet long, but the species has yet to be determined, according to the Associated Press.
(The Associated Press contributed to the writing of this story.)
