Shark attack, bloody bites: Dangerous OC waters off limits

A shark attack in the ocean off Orange County that left a woman swimmer hospitalized with numerous bloody bites forced the closure of all waters again Tuesday from the Balboa Pier south to Crystal Cove State Beach.

Authorities continued searching the area by boat and helicopters to find the shark. The waters have been off limits since the woman was pulled bleeding from the ocean off Corona del Mar State Beach at 4:15 p.m. Sunday.

Lifeguards on a patrol boat noticed she was in distress, according to Newport Beach spokeswoman Tara Finnigan. The victim had wounds on her torso and arm.

Lifeguards later searched the water for signs of sharks but “have not spotted a shark or any significant marine life activity,” Finnigan said this morning.

“A spokesman for Orange County Global Medical Center confirmed that the victim’s wounds appear to be consistent with a shark bite,” she said.

“Newport Beach lifeguards and police personnel will continue to evacuate any individual that enters the water in this area until a determination is made that all, some or none of the area can be reopened,” Finnigan said.

The closure of the area waters Sunday evening meant beach-goers had to go elsewhere for Monday’s Memorial Day holiday, or else remain on the sand without entering the possibly dangerous water. However, low clouds and overcast skies with lower-than-usual temperatures may have kept holiday crowds to a smaller number than usual.

—Staff and wire reports