Four hurt by shark on Fourth.

Four people were injured in a suspected shark attack on South Padre Island, Texas, on July 4.

What Happened:

• Texas Parks and Wildlife confirmed that "two individuals were bitten, and two others encountered a shark but were not seriously injured."
• Texas Game Warden Captain Chris Dowdy stated the attacks, suspected to be by a single shark, occurred over a two-hour period near Wanna Wanna Beach Bar and Grill.

Injuries and Response:

• Of the two people bitten, one was taken to Valley Regional Medical Center, and the other was airlifted for further treatment.
• The U.S. Coast Guard deployed drones, boats, and helicopters to ensure the area's safety.

The Shark:

• Dowdy indicated that the shark escaped to open waters, and there are no containment plans.
• Beachgoers are advised to remain vigilant and exit the water calmly if they spot any sharks.

Shark Attack Context:

• University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File emphasizes that shark attacks are rare.
• The lifetime risk of a fatal shark attack is 1 in 4 million, with 36 shark-related incidents in the U.S. in 2023.

Texas Shark Attack History:

• Historical data shows that Galveston County has reported the most shark attacks (19), followed by Nueces (12) and Cameron (7) counties.

The story can be found at: [URL REDACTED]