Lobster diving boy, 13, in critical condition after being attacked by shark off a California beach

‘I got bit!’: Boy, 13, in critical condition after 11-feet-long SHARK ripped open his collarbone as he went diving for lobsters off a California beach

  • Witness Chad Hammel helped the teenage victim get back to land after the shark attack Saturday morning
  • The boy was diving as spiny lobster season began in Southern California  
  • Lobster divers in a kayak pulled him in and saw the shark follow them 
  • A group applied pressure to the clavicle wounds while beach-goers called paramedics, who put the victim in a helicopter to Rady Children’s Hospital 

An unnamed 13-year-old boy is in critical condition after he was the victim of a shark attack Saturday morning

An unnamed 13-year-old boy is in critical condition after he was the victim of a shark attack Saturday morning as he went diving for lobsters.

The incident happened around 7am on the opening day of California’s spiny lobster season and people looking for the creatures themselves were horrified to come across the attack at Beacon’s Beach in Encinitas, California. 

Chad Hammel told Fox 5 San Diego: ‘I realized that he was yelling, “I got bit! I got bit!”‘

The man added that the victim’s collarbone was the center of the attack and they tried desperately to get him to safety. 

A group applied pressure to the wounds while beach-goers called paramedics, who put the victim in a helicopter to Rady Children’s Hospital. 

Witnesses applied pressure to the wounds while beach-goers called paramedics

Witnesses applied pressure to the wounds while beach-goers called paramedics

The victim was put in a helicopter and airlifted to Rady Children's Hospital

The victim was put in a helicopter and airlifted to Rady Children’s Hospital

 ‘His whole clavicle was ripped open,’ Hammel continued. ‘We told him he’s going to be okay, he’s going to be alright – we got help. I yelled at everyone to get out of the water: “There’s a shark in the water!” 

‘Once we threw him up on the kayak and started heading in, that’s when I looked back, and the shark was behind the kayak. He didn’t want to give up yet.’

The shark is estimated to be approximately 11-feet-long. 

Tim Fairbanks, director of pediatric surgery shared that at the family’s request they won’t be detailing what treatments were required. 

Dr Chris Lowe from California State University is trying to find out what type of shark caused the injuries. It is estimated to be approximately 11-feet-long

Dr Chris Lowe from California State University is trying to find out what type of shark caused the injuries. It is estimated to be approximately 11-feet-long

The area was closed for 48 hours from La Costa Avenue to Swami’s Beach while an investigation took place with California State Parks, California Fish and Game, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, City of Solana Beach and the City of Carlsbad.

They have begun patrolling the area on boats and using drones to ensure public safety. 

Dr Chris Lowe from California State University is trying to find out what type of shark caused the injuries.

‘At this time, we have not received additional reports of any shark sightings in the area but are advising the public to stay out of the water,’ Lifeguard Captain Larry Giles said.

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