Updated August 31, 4:21 pm.
A woman in her late 20s was pulled from the water off Norton Point around 1:40 pm on Monday afternoon with injuries to her lower leg consistent with a bite from a marine animal.
A press release from the town of Edgartown said the wounds were “considered consistent with a potential shark bite.”
No shark or other marine animal was seen or confirmed in connection with the incident, according to the press release from Edgartown.
Edgartown Fire, EMS, and Edgartown Parks Department rangers treated the women at the scene, and the individual was transported to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Her injuries were reported as non-life-threatening, and no limbs were lost.
In accordance with Edgartown town protocol, following the suspected shark attack, swimming at South Beach is suspended for several hours as a precaution, according to the release. Town personnel will assess conditions in the water before reopening.
“Beachgoers are reminded to remain aware of their surroundings while in the water and to comply with instructions from lifeguards and any posted beach advisories,” said Edgartown Town Administrator James Hagerty in the press release.
A transcript of Martha’s Vineyard Public Safety Radio said that “a female party that pulled from water is bleeding.” At 1:49 pm, someone over the radio said “reporting possible shark bites.”
A beachgoer who was parked next to the party of cars near where the incident occurred at the end of Norton Points over sand vehicle access, told The Times that “someone was bit by something” in shallow water.
At 3 pm, Edgartown Parks Department rangers, who manage Norton Point, were driving around warning people that “there were shark sightings.” Planes, including the red biplane, were also doing flyovers. Mike Creato of Classic Aviators in Katama, who flies the red biplane, is often the one called by beach managers on the south shore to look out for shadows in the water.
Police and emergency officials blocked off the entrance to drive onto Norton Point.
Greg Skomal, a marine biologist with the Division of Marine Fisheries and a shark expert, said that the last shark bite in Massachusetts was in Sept. 2018. A man was fatally bitten by a great white shark off Newcomb Hollow Beach in Wellfleet; it was the first fatality in the state in 80 years. Skomal, who’s seen every major shark bite in New England in recent years, said in order to determine the species of this bite, he would need to know the extent of the damage, nature of the wound, number of stitches needed, distance from the beach where the incident occurred, and other informative details.
This is a developing story.
