SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas – Two people were bitten, a third person was grazed and a fourth man was injured fending off a shark on South Padre Island on Independence Day, a Texas game warden confirmed.
All of the attacks happened on Thursday and were believed to have been associated with the same shark, Texas Game Warden Captain Chris Dowdy said.
South Padre Island police were first called to the 4100 block of Gulf Boulevard around 11 a.m. on Thursday for a severe shark bite to a man’s leg.
SPIPD and the Fire Department provided first aid at the scene before the man was transported to a Brownsville hospital.
In all, state park and wildlife officials said two victims were taken to the hospital. One of the victims is receiving treatment in Brownsville while the other was airlifted to an unknown location for further treatment.
Beach patrol, SPIPD and SPIFD combed through the shoreline and used drones in the area.
At this time, Dowdy said the shark has now escaped to open waters and said there is no plan to contain it.