NEW YORK — Two teenagers who were in the waters off Long Island beaches were injured after being bitten, one of them confirmed by a shark, just on the eve of July 4. For this reason, Long Island officials are extra vigilant at several area beaches as a precaution.
The incidents occurred Monday at Robert Moses and Kismet beaches, which were packed with people in the middle of a hot and incredibly humid day.
The first report of a bite came in shortly before 2:00 a.m. in robert moses beach when a 15-year-old girl was reportedly bitten by something in the water. It was said that she had three small wounds on her left leg.
The regional park commissioner said the minor could not identify exactly what bit her. As part of their investigation of him, officials launched a drone but were unable to find any visible sharks in the water.
“We noticed that the lifeguards started pulling everyone out of the water and closed the beach for about 30 minutes, and then we started hearing from other people who think someone was bitten by a baby shark,” said beachgoer George Segura.
About three hours after the first incident, and a few miles offshore at Kismet Beach, a 15-year-old boy who police say was surfing appeared to suffer a shark bite on his left foot.
A good Samaritan responded and took him to the hospital; the boy’s heel and toes were still intact.
Both teens were recovering Monday night.
The park commissioner said drone patrols will continue to monitor both beaches on July 4, when crowds are expected to come to celebrate US Independence Day.
