man fishing in maui killed in shark attack

Man killed in shark attack

Patrick Briney, 57, of Stevenson, Wash., died Monday of a shark bite after fishing in a kayak off the Hawaiian island of Maui, local officials reported.

Briney had been fishing for baitfish with artificial lures while one leg draped over the edge of his kayak when the shark bit his foot. His fishing partner was in another kayak and he wrapped a tourniquet around Briney’s leg in order to slow the bleeding. A nearby charter tour boat pulled the two men back to shore where the victim was taken to a hospital. The man was later pronounced dead.

This is the eighth shark attack off Maui this year and the number of shark bites have been increasing around the Hawaiian islands. Over the past 20 years there have been an average of four shark bites per year but the numbers are rising.

Public safety officials have warned people to be extra vigilant in the waters around Maui until they understand why shark attacks have been increasing. They closed the waters around Makena State Recreation Area, where the shark attack took place, but the beaches remain open. The area might reopen at noon on Tuesday if the department does not find more sharks in the vicinity.

Online:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/02/us/hawaii-fatal-shark-attack/
http://www.startribune.com/nation/234147111.html
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/12/03/man-killed-in-hawaii-shark-attack/