“Grateful to Be Alive”: Beach Re-Opens for Swimming as Family Issues Statement After Horrifying Shark Attack on 65-Year-Old Woman

The beaches on the East Coast of the United States are famous among surfers and swimmers alike. However, due to the rising number of shark attacks in this area, many beaches were forced to close for swimming. Until very recently, Rockaway Beach was one of those beaches that were closed due to shark attacks. Yesterday, the officials decided to reopen the beach to the public after implementing additional safety measures.

Rockaway Beach witnessed a horrible tragedy on Monday when a shark viciously attacked a 65-year-old woman. This incident frightened the local community and raised concerns about the safety of swimming in the area. However, the officials have assured the public that they have taken necessary precautions to prevent any further shark attacks. In the midst of all this, the victim’s family made a surprising revelation.

Victim’s family reacts to the decision to reopen Rockaway Beach for swimming

Since the attack took place on Monday evening, the NYC Parks Department officials have been monitoring the waters around Rockaway Beach. Even after three days of searching, the officials could not locate the shark. Finally, they made the decision to reopen Rockaway Beach to swimmers on Wednesday morning after 10 a.m. The NYC Parks asked for the assistance of the NYPD and the FDNY to launch a massive operation on land, air, and water. Their only mission was to assure the public of their safety on Rockaway Beach.

The 65-year-old woman was the first victim of a shark attack on Rockaway Beach in a long time. The shark bit her on the thigh while she was standing in knee-deep waters near 59th Street. The officers applied a tourniquet to her bleeding leg and transferred her to the Jamaica Hospital. Her children spoke to a correspondent from ABC7 New York and said, “Our mother is grateful to be alive after today’s events”. They thanked the lifeguards, emergency personnel, and also the doctors for their prompt actions. The family has shown immense faith in the officials and believed that they would always prioritize the well-being of the public. Experts have also come forward with their own theories about the upsurge in shark attacks. They gave the swimming community a few pointers that could save lives.

Expert pointers to ensure a secure swimming experience

Greg Skomal, a noted marine biologist, hypothesized that the shark that attacked the woman at Rockaway Beach must have been a bull, tiger, white, or dusky shark. He said the water quality around the East Coast has changed, attracting bunker fish populations to these waters. The sharks have followed these fish, and as a result, five swimmers have been bitten in the last year alone around the Long Island beaches.

Read More: Shark Attack at Popular Beach Raises Concern Among Swimmers as Authorities Take Decisive Action

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s resident expert has asked swimmers to be on the lookout for sudden splashes on the water. This should indicate to the person in the water that they are swimming in a region where sharks are feeding. He has stressed the importance of adapting to this new reality and taking necessary precautions to ensure safety. The officials will continue to monitor the waters around Rockaway Beach to ensure the safety of the beachgoers.

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