A swimmer on Martha’s Vineyard was taken to a hospital Monday after suffering injuries that officials said appeared consistent with a possible shark bite.
The reported encounter occurred Monday afternoon at South Beach in Edgartown, Massachusetts, a heavily visited stretch of coastline on the island.
According to local officials, the woman, who is in her late 20s, was swimming when she sustained an injury to her lower leg.
FILE — A sign alerted beachgoers to a shark sighting at South Beach on Martha’s Vineyard on July 11, 2008. A woman was injured Monday after a suspected shark encounter at the same beach. (Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)
“Based upon the nature of the injuries, however, the wounds were considered consistent with a potential shark bite,” Town Administrator James Hagerty said in a statement.
Her injuries were considered non-life-threatening and “did not involve the loss of a limb or other life-threatening trauma,” Hagerty said.
Multiple Edgartown agencies responded to the scene, where the woman received initial medical treatment before being transported to a local hospital for further care.
Following the suspected shark encounter, no marine predators were observed or confirmed in connection with the incident, officials said.
In accordance with town protocol, officials suspended swimming at South Beach for several hours as a precaution, allowing personnel to assess conditions before later lifting the water restrictions.
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The town thanked emergency personnel and beach staff for their prompt response.
FILE — A man watches the sunset from a lifeguard tower at South Beach State Park in Edgartown, Massachusetts, on Aug. 17, 2015. Swimming at South Beach was temporarily restricted Aug. 31 following a suspected shark attack. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
“Beachgoers are reminded to remain aware of their surroundings while in the water and to comply with instructions from lifeguards and any posted beach advisories,” Hagerty said.
Confirmed shark attacks at Martha’s Vineyard have historically been rare, though marine predators are known to pass through the area.
Nearly all serious or fatal shark attacks in Massachusetts over the last two decades have occurred along the coast of nearby Cape Cod, which is two hours away by car.
FILE — Seals poked their heads out of the water near Skiff Island, just offshore from South Beach in Martha’s Vineyard. Seals along the Massachusetts coastline can attract great white sharks to the area. (Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)
Cape Cod is considered a major hotspot for great white sharks in the North Atlantic due to its large population of gray seals, a primary food source for the predators.