The tourist lost both her hands to the shark while on vacation in the Caribbean
A man was quick to try to ‘fight off’ a shark that took both of his wife’s hands in its bite when she tried to take a picture of it.
While on a beach on Providenciales, the main island in the Turks and Caicos archipelago, a 55-year-old woman was spotted in the shallows of Blue Hills Beach, in the Caribbean, when she suffered catastrophic injuries following a reported shark attack.
It is believed the tourist was attempting to take a snap of the animal, which is believed to be between a six and nine feet long shark, when it snapped back.
It’s believed a bull shark could be the culprit (Getty Images)
The traveler suffered a bite to her thigh and lost both of her hands which had to be amputated after the attack which took place on Friday (February 7), with a medical center having to remove one hand at the wrist and another from mid-way down her forearm.
Witnesses who rushed to her aid in the attack have since spoken out about the harrowing ordeal, describing how the woman’s husband had attempted to ‘fight’ the shark as it tried to continue it’s attack.
One person told Magnetic Media (via The Sun): “That shark bite victim lost both her hands and some forearms. Her husband tried to fight it off.”
Meanwhile, another described the woman’s family, who was nearby when the attack occurred, were quick to stop the bleeding with cloths. The woman was reportedly so close to shore that she was also able to able to walk back after being bitten, witnesses said.
Speaking of the shark, someone else said: “I was there for 40 minutes, and it was still lingering.”
While it’s still not confirmed, the shark is believed to be either a bull or tiger shark.
The woman and her family were on the Blue Hills Beach in Turks and Caicos when the attack happened (Google Maps)
The Department of Environment & Coastal Resources Authorities issued the following statement on the incident: “On Friday 7th February a tourist was injured by a shark in the waters adjacent to Blue Hills, Providenciales.
“The individual was taken to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre where she was stabilized and later flown off island for further medical care.
“Upon confirmation of the incident the Department of Environment & Coastal Resources (DECR) issued a beach closure notification from Thompson’s Cove Beach to Froggies ATV, Blue Hills in an abundance of caution. The beach was reopened on Sunday, February 9th at 1pm after it was determined that the shark had moved to deeper water.”
It continued: “The shark was estimated to be approximately 6ft in length, however the species is yet to be confirmed.
“Further to the investigation, it has been determined that the tourist had attempted to engage with the animal from the shallows in an attempt to take photographs.”
The Department of Environment and Coastal Resources Authorities closed their message by warning other tourists from taking similar actions due to the inherent danger of interacting with these animals, adding to ‘respect marine life.’
Authorities issue warning after tourist has both hands bitten off by shark while trying to take picture of it
It is the fourth shark attack to have taken place in the area since 2021, with almost all resulting in a lost limb
A woman has lost both of her hands after trying to ‘engage’ with a shark while on a vacation of a lifetime in the Caribbean.
The tourist attempted to snap a picture of the apex predator, which is believed to be between six and nine feet long, when the beast snapped back at the holidaymaker in hip-deep water on a beach on Providenciales, the main island in the Turks and Caicos archipelago.
The incident took place on Friday last week (February 7), at the eastern end of Blue Hills Beach near Da Conch Shack and Thompson’s Cove Beach – with the culprit understood to be either a bull shark or tiger shark, according toVisit Turks and Caicos Islands.
Turks and Caicos Islands government has since warned tourists of the dangers that lurk in its crystal clear waters.
The Department of Environment & Coastal Resources Authorities issued the following statement: “On Friday 7th February a tourist was injured by a shark in the waters adjacent to Blue Hills, Providenciales.
“The individual was taken to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre where she was stabilized and later flown off island for further medical care.
A bull shark is the other species that could have bitten the woman’s hands off (Getty stock)
“Upon confirmation of the incident the Department of Environment & Coastal Resources (DECR) issued a beach closure notification from Thompson’s Cove Beach to Froggies ATV, Blue Hills in an abundance of caution. The beach was reopened on Sunday, February 9th at 1pm after it was determined that the shark had moved to deeper water.”
It continued: “The shark was estimated to be approximately 6ft in length, however the species is yet to be confirmed.
“Further to the investigation, it has been determined that the tourist had attempted to engage with the animal from the shallows in an attempt to take photographs.
Providenciales, the main island of the Turks and Caicos archipelago, is a popular holiday destination for snorkelers (Getty stock)
“The DECR would like to urge the public to always be aware of your surroundings, follow local advisories, and respect marine life. Swim in designated areas, avoid murky waters, never swim alone, and do not attempt to feed marine wildlife under any circumstances.”
This month’s incident is the fourth recorded shark attack to have taken place in the Turks and Caicos since 2020.
The first took place in September 2021, when a male tourist was bitten on his wrist by a seven-foot lemon shark or tiger shark, while the next took place almost two years later in May 2023, this time a 22-year-old holidaymaker lost his foot.
In May last year, a male resident was attacked while snorkelling, with the bite being so severe that it resulted in amputation of his leg above his knee.
