SAN DIEGO — A 16-year-old boy was punctured by a stingray and aggressively bumped by a shark Wednesday, days after beaches reopened along California’s coast.
The teen was on a bodyboard or surfboard around 5:30 p.m. off Moonlight Beach when he encountered the shark, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
The victim first told lifeguards he was bitten by a shark; however, on the way to the hospital officials determined he was “aggressively bumped” by it, the Union-Tribune reported.
The boy’s mother told KSWB the shark tore his wetsuit and a sting ray punctured his ankle.
The beach was immediately closed and shark advisory signs were posted along the beach, KNSD reported.
Teenage surfer encounters a shark & stingray at #MoonlightBeach. Lifeguards say he kicked at a shark. A woman identifying as his mother says shark did not bite him but a stingray punctured him. The teen was rushed to the hospital w minor injuries. Stay w #FOX5SanDiego @ 10/11PM pic.twitter.com/ZkXoPqVs5i
— Liberty Zabala FOX 5 (@Liberty_Zabala) April 30, 2020
“I would call it more of a bump, or an aggressive act,” Encinitas lifeguard Capt. Larry Giles told the Union-Tribune. “It didn’t bite.”
The teen was taken to a hospital and treated for minor injuries.
Moonlight and other beaches were reopened Monday after a monthlong lockdown because of the coronavirus.
On Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom closed beaches in Orange County after large crowds were seen gathering along beaches over the weekend, the Orange County Register reported.
