Shark attacks surfer at California state park, bites both his legs

A surfer suffered injuries to his legs after a shark bit him at Mendocino Headlands State Park, about 156 miles northwest of San Francisco.

The 39-year-old victim was surfing at about 5:18 p.m. local time Wednesday when the shark attacked him, California State Parks Lifeguards said on social media.

The statement did not specify the type of shark responsible for the bites.

“I could see the shark’s head kind of above the water. I thought of my wife and my [9-month-old] kid, and I was just like, ’I cannot die. I can’t die right now,’” surfer James Eastman told ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

Mr. Eastman batted at the shark’s nose and it eventually swam away. Three off-duty lifeguards came out and helped Mr. Eastman to shore, he said.

Mr. Eastman was then taken to the hospital for treatment. Under state protocol, the beach at Mendocino Headlands State Park was closed and will remain closed for 48 hours following the attack.

The last shark attack in Mendocino County occurred in January, when another surfer was bitten about 50 miles north of where Mr. Eastman was attacked, according to The Press Democrat.

The California State Parks Lifeguards said the California Department of Fish and Wildlife had taken evidence from the scene and is investigating the incident further.