Shark attacks Kansas man snorkeling in Hawaii; beaches closed

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii – A tiger shark attacked a Kansas man snorkeling in Hawaii Wednesday, sending him to the hospital with bites to his arm.

The 58-year-old man from Overland Park was flown to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu in stable condition on Wednesday, West Hawaii Today (http://bit.ly/1H3B69H ) reported.

Police said he had been snorkeling with his family at Hapuna Beach when the 10-to-12-foot shark attacked.

Numerous snorkelers were about 20 yards offshore at the time.

“There was commotion in the water and we responded. Initially we didn’t know what happened,” lifeguard Paul Tucker said. “Then we saw bystanders dragging him in.”

Police say he suffered severe cuts to his left forearm and lacerations to his left thigh.

His identity has not been released.

The shark continued to cruise just outside the surf line at Hapuna an hour after the attack. A Hawaii County Fire Department helicopter tracked the animal and confirmed seeing stripes on the shark’s body.

Authorities have closed beaches from Waialea to Mauna Kea. They will remain closed at least until noon Thursday, said Acting Battalion Chief John Whitman.

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Information from: West Hawaii Today, http://www.westhawaiitoday.com