Fourth of July festivities on South Padre Island were interrupted on Thursday by shark attacks, leading to two people being hospitalized with bites, with at least one of the injuries being severe. According to South Padre Island city secretary, Nikki Soto, a man was severely bitten around 11 a.m., prompting emergency response from firefighters and police at the beach. The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department later confirmed that two people were bitten and two others encountered the shark without sustaining serious injuries. One of the bite victims was taken to a hospital in Brownsville, while the other had to be flown out for additional treatment.
Game Warden Capt. Chris Dowdy stated that based on witness accounts and social media images, authorities believe a single shark approximately 6 feet in length was responsible for the attacks. In response to the incidents, beach patrol, firefighters, and police intensified their presence along the shore, even utilizing drones for surveillance. Dowdy mentioned that the previous shark attack in the area occurred five years ago.
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department is actively participating in the investigation to better understand the events that unfolded on this holiday.
