First Fatal MA Attack in 80 Years

Man Succumbs to Injuries and Dies

A swimmer at Newcomb Hollow Beach died 16th September due to
shark bites. The experts called it the first fatal shark attack in Massachusetts since 1936. This was confirmed by the Florida Program for Shark Research at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

According to the Wellfleet police, the and swimmer was bitten around noon. Eyewitnesses saw the victim boogie boarding 30 yards off the beach with another man.

The victim was later identified as Arthur Medici, a 26-year-old resident of Revere, Massachusetts was given CPR upon rescue and was later taken to the Cod Hospital in Hyannis.

Medici was a student at the Bunker Hill Community College, where he had enrolled in part-time classes in the spring.

Understandably, this incident put local surfers on edge. One of the surfers speaking to the media described how such incidents seem unreal until they actually happen.

The fact is that such incidents are highly like in Cape Cod beaches where shark sightings have been increasing. Grey seal population is also on the rise.

Just a month before this attack, a senior citizen also suffered puncture wounds when he was attacked by a shark. This 61-year-old man was standing several yards offshore when he was attacked by a shark.

Gavin Naylor (director of the aforementioned
Florida Program for Shark Research) says that on the whole, shark attacks are very rare in Cape Cod. It’s just that in summers, beaches are overpopulated, with both people and sharks.

He also shared a couple of tips that can help surfers and beachgoers, in general, avoid these incidents. First, never go into the water alone when it’s dark.

Second, you should also keep a lookout for the movements of other marine life. For instance, if you see a lot of seals or fish moving and jumping, there’s a good a chance there’s a shark nearby.

Fatima M.
Freelance Blogger