On Saturday, a man was bitten by a shark at Gray Whale Cove in San Mateo County, California.
The shark attack occurred at 9:15 a.m, after which firefighters and first responders were called out to a reported medical emergency.
Lt. Eamonn Allen with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office told KCBS Radio that the 35-year-old man was either swimming or skin diving, and that by the man's report, he was bit by a "six to eight foot Great White Shark from the lower leg."
The man, later identified as Nemanja Spasojevic, said he then was able to swim up to shore, at which point he approached a bystander nearby and asked them to call 911.
CAL FIRE added that Spasojevic was in serious condition.
The 38-year-old was bit in his leg and suffered 10 punctures from the shark's teeth, according to NBC News.
He was treated at San Francisco General Hospital for his injuries and released to recover at home.
“I'm probably the luckiest guy in the world, to get hit by a great white and walk out of the hospital the same day,” Spasojevic told NBC Bay Area.
“He didn't thrash my leg. Gentle bite, let go,” he added. “I could feel mosquito bite-like feeling and slight push; as I look I could see nose and two eyes.”
Lt. Allen said that this incident came as a surprise.
"I've worked for the office for 18 years, including several years in coast side patrol and this is one of the first times I can remember something like this happening in quite some time," he said.
Following the incident, California State Parks closed the beach out of an abundance of caution.
Related
