WAILUKU, Hawaii – A German tourist has lost her arm in a suspected shark attack off Hawaii.
Maui County emergency responders said the woman’s right arm was severed below her shoulder Wednesday as she snorkeled about 50 yards (meters) off shore.
“She screamed and called for help,” said Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.
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The arm was not found, Mainaga said.
The woman, who is about 20 years old, was helped to shore by two friends and a kayaker. She was unconscious when she reached the beach and was rushed to a hospital.
A hospital spokeswoman did not immediately respond to phone messages.
The woman’s friends did not see the attack, and choppy water limited visibility. Mainaga said it is assumed that she was injured by a shark.
The attack was the eighth in Hawaii this year, according to state data, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports. Last year saw 11 attacks, the most in a dozen years and far above the annual average of 4.75.
Hawaii has not seen a fatal shark attack since April 2004.
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