Shark attack off Long Island beach is FOURTH in two weeks on same coast as man is hospitalized and beach is closed
A SHARK bit a surfer in Long Island on Wednesday - the fourth attack by the predator there in two weeks.
The latest incident comes as park officials have ramped up patrol along Long Island beaches in recent weeks following a spate of shark attacks.
Emergency responders took the man to an area hospital. The severity of his injuries is unclear.
Smith Point was one of two Suffolk County beaches that temporarily halted water activities this month over "dangerous marine activity."
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PREDATORS LURKING IN NY WATERS
Just last week, two lifeguards were mauled by sharks in separate incidents at a popular New York coastline.
Wednesday's attack came in the same waters as an incident on July 7 where lifeguard John Mullins, 17, was mauled during a training exercise on Smith Point Beach, leaving him with a foot injury.
He was taken to the hospital, where he received multiple stitches.
"I didn't really feel the bite at first," Mullins said. "My adrenaline was rushing right away."
reported that Mullins seems to be recovering from the injury but is walking with a limp.
During the training exercise, Mullins was playing the role of the victim in need of a lifeguard's help when ironically, lifeguards did have to help him when the shark attacked.
"I was like 'Oh my God, I've got to go,' - it was crazy," Mullins said. "I thought it was following me, so I was freaking out..."
Meanwhile, another lifeguard, Zach Gallo, was attacked on July 3 near Smith Point Beach - about 20 miles east.
Like Mullins, Gallo also received stitches during his hospital trip.
The attacks came after a 57-year-old was attacked while swimming on June 30 off Jones Beach, around 10 miles west of Ocean Beach.
The man, who has not been named publicly, suffered lacerations to his right foot, reported.
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The New York attacks are among a string of recent maulings off the US coast.
Recently, a teen girl lost part of her leg after a shark attack at Keaton Beach in northwestern .