Woman suffers minor injuries to 12-to-15 foot tiger shark

Surf News Network, 31 October, 2014: A 34-year-old Kailua-Kona woman was attacked by a shark while surfing at Halaula Lighthouse in North Kohala. Police received a report that the victim was en route to North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital with injuries to two fingers.

Police determined that the woman had been surfing with a friend when the friend saw her board lift out of the water with her on it. The friend saw what he described as a 12- to 15-foot tiger shark with the board in its mouth. The shark then began to tow the board out to sea, dragging the woman, who was attached to it with a surfing leash. As the male friend paddled toward her, the shark let go of the surfboard. After the friend hit the shark, it swam away.

The woman and her friend paddled to shore and went by private vehicle to North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital, where she is being treated for her injuries.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources has closed the beach and posted shark warning signs.