Los Angeles County beaches remained open after a 25-year- old man fishing from a kayak was bitten by what was described as a 10-foot hammerhead shark just north of the Malibu area in Ventura County.
The man was fishing along with another kayaker at 2:30 p.m. Saturday about a mile off Deer Creek beach when he was bitten by the shark, Ventura County Fire Department Capt. Ron Oatman told City News Service.
He apparently had his foot in the water, Oatman said.
“It just kind of came by, bit his foot and moved on,” according to the captain.
He said the man suffered deep lacerations to the top of his foot.
The kayaker flagged down a fishing boat, which took the man close to shore, and he paddled his way in where he was met by lifeguards, Oatman said.
The man was treated at the scene and then airlifted to Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, Oatman said.
Los Angeles County beaches to the south of Deer Creek remained open and busy with strong surf from a south swell and ideal weather drawing people looking to enjoy the coast during this last unofficial weekend of summer, county lifeguards spokeswoman Lidia Barillas told CNS.
It’s not common to see hammerhead sharks in this area, but there have been several sightings of the distinctive creatures in recent weeks around Point Dume and off Catalina Island, perhaps due to warm water temperatures, Barillas said.
Kelp beds off Deer Creek beach are popular with divers and kayakers who regularly come ashore with fish they’ve speared or hooked.
