Rockaway Beach swimmer hospitalized after possible shark attack
LONG ISLAND - A woman is in critical condition after a possible shark attack in Queens on Monday evening.
According to the FDNY, the incident happened just before 6 p.m. near Beach 59th Street and Rockaway Beach. Authorities say the woman was swimming, and when first responders arrived on the scene, she was unconscious, either from blood loss or shock.
The victim was taken to Jamaica Hospital and is now in serious but stable condition, police said.
The victim's age is unknown.
The incident isn't the first fits kind to happen in New York this summer. Last month, there were three shark attacks in just two days on Long Island, with a total of five people bitten in the first week of July.
Shark bites surge on Long Island: 3 attacks in 2 days raise concerns
New York State has expanded its monitoring capabilities with drone surveillance after several reported shark bites last summer.
A 10-foot shark was found in the water at Robert Moses State Park, and Long Island Beach delayed its opening after a drone spotted a group of 50 sand sharks off the coast.
Experts say there are several ways to help stay safe from sharks.
- Avoid areas with lots of fish
- Never go out swimming at dusk or dawn
- Only swim when there's a lifeguard on duty.