A female tourist suffered horrific injuries after a shark attacked her just yards from a Caribbean beach last Friday.
Details of the Attack
The victim is a 55-year-old woman from Canada. She was wading in the shallows at Thompson’s Cove Beach. Authorities say she tried to engage the predator to take a picture. The shark was estimated to be about 6ft long. Witnesses saw the animal lingering in the water for 40 minutes.
A Brave Rescue
The woman’s husband fought the shark to save her life. He desperately tried to stop the beast from biting her again. Meanwhile, the shark continued to circle the couple in the water. The woman managed to walk back to the shore after the struggle. A crowd then gathered on the sand to help stem the bleeding.
Serious Medical Injuries
Medical teams rushed the victim to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre. Reports state the shark bit off both of her hands. One hand was severed at the wrist and the other at the forearm. She also suffered a bite to her thigh during the attack. Later, she returned to Canada to receive further medical care.
Rare Island Incidents
Shark bites are usually rare in the Turks and Caicos islands. However, an American student lost her foot there in 2023. The local waters are home to tiger, bull, and hammerhead sharks. Police told the public to stay out of the ocean until further notice. Finally, the government is working to identify the specific shark species.