A 58-year-old surfer was hospitalized in serious condition Sunday after a large shark bit his right leg at Kewalo Basin in Honolulu.
KHON2 reports that friends of the surfer might have saved his life by using a surfboard leash as a tourniquet. The man, a regular at the surfing spot, was transported to a nearby trauma center after the dawn incident.
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources stated in a news release that an 8-foot tiger shark was believed responsible for biting the surfer.
The DNLR added: “When others came to the man’s aid they report that a shark returned and was acting aggressively.”
A dive boat with 30 passengers left the area soon after being told about the incident.
Warning signs were posted and the area was ordered closed to swimming and surfing until at least noon Monday.
