Martha’s Vineyard swimmer injured in potential shark bite

A woman in her late twenties sustained non-life-threatening injuries consistent with a potential shark bite while swimming at South Beach in Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard, on Monday afternoon.

Emergency responders arrived at Norton Point around 1:40 p.m. to assist the swimmer, who suffered wounds to her lower leg. While the injuries were described by Edgartown Town Administrator James M. Hagerty as being “consistent with a bite from a marine animal,” authorities did not locate any sharks or other marine life at the scene.

Swimming at South Beach was suspended for several hours as a precaution to allow town personnel to assess water conditions. The victim received medical aid at the scene before being transported to a hospital for further evaluation. Officials noted that the injuries did not involve the loss of a limb or other severe trauma.