A 50-year-old woman finds herself in critical condition after a shark attack at Rockaway Beach in Queens, New York.
The incident occurred around 5:50 p.m. ET when the woman was swimming at Beach 59th Street. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation confirmed that she was bitten by a shark on her left leg.
Swift action was taken as lifeguards promptly removed her from the water and provided immediate first aid. Subsequently, she was rushed to Jamaica Hospital, where she remains in critical condition.
In response to the shark bite incident, lifeguards at Beach 59th Street cleared the water, and the New York Police Department conducted an aerial survey using a helicopter to assess the area for any sharks, with no sightings reported.
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While rare, NYC Parks emphasized that “shark bites in Rockaway are extremely rare.” The beach authorities maintain vigilance in monitoring shark activity and clear the water whenever a shark is spotted.
NYC Parks expressed hopes for the swimmer’s complete recovery following the unfortunate encounter.