Shark attack closes Oahu’s North Shore beaches

eTN Publisher Juergen Steinmetz just happened to be nearby and took a picture of the beach closed due to the shark attack attack.

An Instagram post says the victim lost his left leg.

ABC6 will update when more information becomes available.

He was transported to a local hospital trauma center in critical condition. There, people put the man on a surf or paddle board and used a leash as a tourniquet. He said he would like to visit Friday’s victim to help him in any way he can.

Carper said Cook is from Rhode Island, but now lives near Leftovers and is a regular at the beach.

Ocean Safety lifeguards alerted swimmers to the attack and warned them to stay out of the water.

If confirmed, this would be the fifth shark attack in Hawaii waters this year, but the first on Oahu, according to the state Department of Land & Natural Resources. The area will be reassessed in the morning and the call will be made whether or not to keep the warning signs posted. One attack, which occurred in April on Maui, was fatal. The surfer, Kiowa Gatewood of Kaneohe, had lacerations on his left leg that required surgery.

It is not clear how far out they were at the time of the incident.

Witnesses told officials the shark was either a tiger or Galapagos about 10-12 feet long, but officials could not confirm the species or size.