Shark Meetup at South Padre Island on July 4

Four people saw a shark up close while swimming near South Padre Island on Independence Day. Two of them were bitten and one more was hurt trying to help out a victim.

Situation Snapshot

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department disclosed that two people were bitten, another person was hurt too but not seriously. The two victims were taken to Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville One of the victims is getting treatment there, the other one had to be flown elsewhere for more medical care.

The third person got small injuries after helping one of the steppers. How exactly they got hurt is not yet known. Another swimmer felt a shark gliding against them while it passed by.

Experience Details

The shark experience happened close to Beach Access 14, next to Wanna Wanna Beach Bar and Grill. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Game Warden Captain Chris Dowdy said that at least four shark related events were reported at South Padre Island. He thinks these attacks may have been all from the same shark which later swam out into deeper water.

Two Border Patrol agents who weren’t working from the Search and Trauma Rescue Unit greatly helped in getting one of the victims from water and tying a tourniquet around their leg.

Victims’ Stories

Nereyda Bazaldua, whose child was one of the victims, talked about her teenage daughters screaming ‘Shark!’ while splashing in water not much above their knees offshore . Her 18 year old kid Victoria walked out of the sea with minor injuries and Bazaldua saw blood standing down her leg.

“A rough contact happened with her, the shark scratched five to six times on her leg,” Bazaldua expressed. “No deep wounds are there”. She also relayed that the shark stayed in water another 20 to 30 minutes before continuing on its way.

Reaction and Safety Procedures

Soon after the accidents, the South Padre Island Beach security walked along shore with fire and police officers and did a search for the shark using drones. To keep the shark from coming close to shore , a helicopter from the Texas Department of Public Safety flew low over water .

Lt. Chris Olivarez of Texas Department of Public Safety played camera footage showing a swimming shark in water which he said was stopped when it wasn’t posing a threat anymore.

Data and Perspectives

The International Shark Attack File reports around ten or less than that number of shark bites incidents in Texas since 2012. This puts Texas behind some other states like Florida, Hawaii, South Carolina, North Carolina, and California when comparing such incidents.

Mayor Patrick McNulty of South Padre island sent his worries saying ‘”Our hearts and best wishes go out to hurt ones with thoughts for rapid healing.”

General Tips for Keeping Safe Around Sharks

To lessen chance encounters with sharks follow these tips,

• Stay clear from schools of fish or seals common food sources for sharks.
• Avoid ocean swimming at dawn or dusk when sharks like eating
• If gonna swim keep company as solo swimmers draw hungry sharks
• Don’t wear shiny jewellery which might attract Sharks.

Upcoming Actions

Safety parameters remain active by Beach managers who are and keeping an eye on shark whereabouts for swimmers’ safety. The Texas Department of Public Safety is coordinating with local law enforcement to put better safety plans in action and spread knowledge about ways to avoid sharks.
People remain watchful but hopeful that hurt people get better soon. With added efforts and growing public awareness more future incidents can be avoided.