The day must have been terrifying - a trip to the beach ends with a shark attack. And the victim was on vacation from New England.
Around noon Wednesday, a shark attacked Wareham, Massachusetts, resident Andrew Costello off the coast of North Carolina.
Costello was bitten in the rib cage, hip, left leg and both hands.
"He said that he was bit, the shark pulled him under, he was able to get away and he swam back to the shore on his own," said Justin Gibbs, the emergency services director for Hyde County, North Carolina.
Costello, 67, told rescuers he bumped into the shark, describing it as gray in color, and about 6-7 feet long.
He was in waist-deep waters when the incident took place about 30 feet from shore. When he got back to the beach, he was met by a lifeguard as well as a doctor, who happened to be in the area.
"He was in stable condition, he was conscious and alert and oriented, he seemed to be in good spirits," said Gibbs.
The victim thankfully did not lose any limbs. He did have puncture wounds and abrasions, and tendons were exposed.
This is the seventh shark attack off of North Carolina this summer, and the third since the weekend.
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Officials are saying environmental conditions, such as warm waters and an abundance of food, lead to predictions of more activity this year.
After he was treated at the scene, the victim was taken to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville. He is in fair condition Wednesday night.
According to the Boston Herald, Costello is the former editor-in-chief of the paper.
Costello released the following statement Thursday:
I’m recovering after a frightening and painful shark attack that occurred on July 1. I feel very fortunate to have survived thanks to the incredible assistance I received from medical personnel on the beach, both those on duty and vacation. I am receiving the best care at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, NC where I was airlifted yesterday. I want to thank everyone from the Ocracoke National Park Service lifeguards to the EMTs and hospital medical staff for their professionalism and excellent care. At this time, I’m focused on my recovery and will not be doing media interviews. Thank you for your concern and respecting my privacy during this time.
