Latest North Carolina shark attack victim in fair condition
OCRACOKE ISLAND,N.C. (WTVD) -- A shark bit a 68-year-old man several times Wednesday in waist-deep water off North Carolina's Outer Banks, officials said, the seventh in a record-breaking year of shark attacks for the state's coastal waters.
The National Park Service said the victim, Andrew Costello, was airlifted to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, where he as last listed in fair condition.
Justin Gibbs, the director of emergency services in Hyde County, says the attack happened around noon Wednesday on a beach on Ocracoke Island. The National Park Service said Costello was swimming in waist-deep water about 25 feet offshore.
He suffered wounds to his ribcage, lower leg, hip and both hands as he tried to fight off the animal.
The alarming number of attacks in North Carolina "is an extremely dangerous situation right now," said George Burgess, who directs the Florida Program for Shark Research at Florida International University.
"There is clearly a continuing threat situation here," he told ABC News.
Burgess, along with some law enforcement officials along the coast, are calling for many of the waterfront communities to consider closing the beaches. Burgess added that considering the trend the past couple of weeks, it's almost a given there will be more victims this Fourth of July weekend.
There are many inherent dangers while swimming in ocean or sound waters. Swimmers are advised to be aware of conditions and their surroundings.
Related stories
- NC shark victim describes attack where he punched shark in the nose to protect son
- Hospital: North Carolina shark bite victim didn't lose limb
- Teenage shark attack victim has advice for younger victim
ABC News' Avianne Tan, ABC News' Matt Gutman and The Associated Press contributed to this report
