A viral video shows the terrifying aftermath of a major shark attack that took place while people were celebrating the Fourth of July on a Texas island beach. The shark is believed to have attacked four swimmers at South Padre Island.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department released a statement following Thursday’s attacks, saying, “On July 4, Texas Game Wardens, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the South Padre Island Police Department (SPI PD) and Cameron County Park Rangers responded to reports of people being bitten by a shark at South Padre Island, within city limits.”
Texas Parks and Wildlife officials explained that the shark bit two individuals and that two people “encountered the shark but were not seriously injured.” Officials added, “The two victims who were bitten were transported to Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville where one is being treated and the other has been flown out for further treatment.”
READ MORE: Video: Sea lion takes down shark in graphic video
The New York Post reported that one of Thursday’s victims was a woman who lost a chunk of her calf after being bit by the shark. Graphic pictures of the shark attack show the missing chunk of the victim’s calf as the woman sits in a pool of blood.
A video of the aftermath of the shark attack shows the woman being aided by good Samaritans as the shark continued to stalk the shore. The video shows people rushing over to help the woman and applying a makeshift tourniquet below her knee.
A press release by Cameron County described Thursday’s shark attacks as “abnormal and unprecedented.”
According to The New York Post, the shark eventually left the shallow water. While officials have not announced any plans to pursue the shark, officials are continuing to monitor the shore with the aid of drone technology.
“Shark encounters of this nature are not a common occurrence in Texas,” Texas Parks and Wildlife officials stated. “When bites from sharks do occur, they are usually a case of mistaken identity by sharks looking for food.”
Texas officials warned the public to “calmly exit the water” and allow predatory wildlife to pass by if a shark is spotted in the water. Officials also explained that large schools of bait near the shore can be a potential indicator of a predator in the water.
WARNING: GRAPHIC PICTURES:
