Surfer survives shark bite in Channel Islands south of Santa Barbara
A man believed to have been bitten by a shark northwest of Santa Rosa Island on Saturday was hoisted to safety by a helicopter crew and taken to Santa Barbara for medical treatment, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Ventura County Fire Department said.
Coast Guard helicopter crew from Air Station San Francisco FOB Mugu medevacs shark bite victim to saftey and transports him to Santa Barbara Airport where EMTs awaited. pic.twitter.com/zyDewiQWpU
— USCG Los Angeles (@USCGLosAngeles) December 22, 2019
Update: The shark bite victim reported to be a 37-year-old male. He is in stable condition. https://t.co/8yd4AZ3wYV
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) December 22, 2019
The Coast Guard said it was notified at 3:15 p.m. by a good Samaritan that a 37-year-old man had been bitten by a shark while he was surfing near the island, part of the Channel Islands south of Santa Barbara and west of the Ventura County coast. The Coast Guard was told a tourniquet had been placed on the man’s leg to prevent further blood loss.
#SantaRosaIncident Update: The bite victim was transported by @uscoastguard copter prior to @VCFD FFs arrival by boat. The patient is being transported to Cottage Hospital. They’re reported to be in stable condition with a tourniquet on their leg. Unknown shark type. pic.twitter.com/IMqa9Ii7Fe
— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) December 22, 2019
A Coast Guard helicopter with a Ventura County paramedic arrived an hour later, hoisted the man into the helicopter and took him to the Santa Barbara Airport, where emergency medical technicians were standing by. The man was reported to be stable. He was taken to Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, the Fire Department said.
It wasn’t immediately known what type of shark was involved in the incident.
“This individual was fortunate to be with a buddy who was able to communicate their position to the Coast Guard. We are all happy that he will be able to be with his family in time for the holidays,” Lt. Benjamin McIntyre-Coble, the Coast Guard Sector-Los Angeles Long Beach command duty officer, said in a statement.