Shark Kills Man; SoCal Beaches Closed

First area fatality since 1994 sparks fears of great white rampage
By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 25, 2008 3:58 PM CDT
Shark Kills Man; SoCal Beaches Closed
Fletcher Cove in Solana Beach, Calif.   (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Beaches north of San Diego were closed today after a man was fatally injured by a shark, the Union-Tribune reports. While witnesses could identify “the culprit” only as a “big gray shark,” an expert contacted by the Los Angeles Times said, “This almost certainly was a great white shark.” Attacks in the area are “unheard of.”

The last confirmed shark fatality was in 1994. In addition to the attack today, seals have been beaching themselves in the area. “Those are signs that say this isn't the place to go,” a lifeguard said. “We have one person fatally wounded and we have sea life exiting the water. It's better to stay out of the water and give it time.” (More San Diego stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X