Man Hospitalized After Apparent Shark Attack Off Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Swimmers in Cape Cod, Massachusetts are on edge after a man was apparently attacked by a shark. He was reportedly swimming with his son and was rushed to the hospital after suffering severe bites to his leg. Witnesses say that they saw a fin above the water just before the victim was attacked.

Rick Leventhal reports that it has not been officially confirmed as a shark attack, but said that the victim told hospital staff that he was bitten by a shark. The incident happened off Ballston Beach on Cape Cod in the town of Truro, an isolated stretch of coast with heavy surfs but no lifeguards.

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The unidentified man, described as a strong and confident swimmer, was about 80 yards out when a large dorsal fin popped out of the water between him and his teenage son. As the pair headed toward the shore, the teen called for help. When they reached the beach, several people ran to help when they realized there were bite marks on the man’s lower leg.

One witness said, “It was unbelievable. We really thought we were watching a movie. It was … we all looked at each other wondering, ‘Did we just see what we think we saw?’”

According to the fire chief, the man was taken to Cape Cod Hospital and transferred to Massachusetts General in Boston with severe cuts on both legs, but is not expected to lose his leg.