Yesterday, around 5pm at the entrance to Big River in the town of Mendocino, an unidentified 39-year old surfer was attacked by a shark.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The man is currently in the hospital with injuries to both legs, after getting himself to the beach and being assisted by three off-duty lifeguards. His current condition has not been made public.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Per Mendocino Coast News:<\/p>\n
\u201cA witness described the shark as \u201cgigantic.\u201d Several reported that the shark struck the victim, and then circled both him and other surfers. It appeared the shark returned more than once to bite its victim.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccording to early reports from emergency communications, the victim made it out of the water and was located at the extreme north end of the beach. Emergency personnel responding to the scene requested an ATV to reach the individual more quickly across the sand.<\/p>\n
\u201cScanner traffic indicated the injuries, while serious, did not involve arterial bleeding.\u201d<\/p>\n
Onlookers who watched the chaos from the bluff have estimated the shark to be anywhere from 15-20 feet. <\/p>\n
This attack comes on the heels of a recent attack just a handful of miles south in Gualala \u2014 and continues the trend of 2025; a year where California recorded the most shark attacks it has ever experienced in 12 months.<\/a><\/p>\n