SPI shark attacks impact 4th of July beachgoers

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A holiday spent at the beach was met with multiple shark attacks for those who visited South Padre Island.

At around 11 a.m. on Thursday, the first attack was reported near Beach Access 14. South Padre Island officials say a man suffered a shark bite to his leg. He was then transported to a hospital where his condition is still unknown.

Those at the scene said they spotted more than one shark and believed they were around 6 to 10 feet long.

According to a release from Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino, Jr., two shark bite incidents and two additional encounters were confirmed.

A DPS helicopter was sent out to assist South Padre Island officials track the sharks and alert people to get out of the water.

Victoria Ramos, 18, said one of the sharks swam into her, and the impact felt like “being hit by a quarterback.”

She was treated for cuts to her leg by paramedics and remained at the beach with her family.

“I just felt this pressure like someone punched me or like someone pushed the back of my leg and I just turn around and there’s a shark,” Ramos said. “There’s little bite marks on my calf but I’m alright for now.”

Many people reported seeing the sharks heading south towards Isla Blanca. Beachgoers said the sharks were as close as 50 feet to the shore.

“They were really close, close enough that they could bite someone really well,” a young girl with her family said.

Robert Ramos, a witness to the attack at Beach Access 14, said he and his family were first alerted to get out of the water by swimmers who saw the shark.

“We were advised by other swimmers or other beachgoers that there was a shark in the water and a gentleman just got bit,” Ramos said.

A woman reportedly lost part of her leg due to the shark bite and is being treated at the hospital.

ValleyCentral reached out to South Padre Island officials for an update on the conditions of those who suffered injuries but have not received one at this time.