FIRE ISLAND, N.Y. – Suffolk County authorities closed a Long Island beach to swimming Sunday after what they described as an unprecedented shark attack that injured a lifeguard.
The lifeguard was playing victim during training when the shark bit him on the chest and arm, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said at an afternoon news conference.
The attack happened around 10:15 a.m. on Smith Point Beach. The lifeguard is receiving stitches and is in “very good spirits,” Bellone said.
“If you’re going to have an encounter with a shark, that’s probably the best scenario you could have,” Bellone said, adding that the lifeguard received immediate treatment from other officers who had already participated in the training. “We have never had an incident like this. We hope we never do it again.”
Bellone said there has been an additional shark sighting since the attack, although it’s unclear if it’s the same shark.
The beach was closed to swimming for the rest of the day, but is expected to reopen Monday, with officials monitoring the water for sharks.
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