A snorkeler is reported to have been bitten by a shark off the UK coastline last week. The swimmer suffered a leg injury and had to be rescued by coastguard officers near Penzance, Cornwall, shortly after noon on July 28.
The injury was confirmed by HM Coastguard who believe the incident to be a suspected shark bite.
A spokesperson said: “HM Coastguard sent Penzance Coastguard Rescue Team to meet a snorkeler who suffered a suspected shark bite. The coastguard was notified just before 12.30pm on Thursday, July 28. It is believed the swimmer suffered a leg injury. The coastguard team met the casualty at Penzance Harbour to assist with passing them into the care of the ambulance service.”
It is not yet known what type of shark attacked the snorkeler, report Cornwall Live. There are several kinds that visit Cornish waters each year, including blue sharks, porbeagle sharks and basking sharks.
Shark attacks are incredibly rare in Britain, however, with no unprovoked attacks said to have occurred since records began in 1847, according to Mirror Online.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
READ NEXT:
- Swimmers fight off shark with mop as it heads towards beach packed with tourists
- Shark found ripped in half on beach sparks fears even bigger predator attacked it
- Woman dies after shark rips off leg and arm in horrifying attack at beach resort
- 'Zombie shark' spotted still hunting for food despite missing half its body
- Shark attack victim named as British diving instructor mauled to death on beach
