Shark bites 61-year-old Maui surfer, severing his leg completely below the knee

WAILUKU, Hawaii — A shark bit a Maui surfer Friday and severed his leg, authorities said.

The man, 61, was surfing at Waiehu Beach Park on Friday morning when a shark bit him. Police officers who arrived on the scene first tried to control the bleeding with tourniquets. His leg was “completely severed just below the knee,” Maui County said in a news release.

The man was alert while being treated ashore and then taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition.

The incident prompted officials to close the beach park. Officials warned people to stay out of the water in the area. The public warning to stay one mile out of the water in any direction of the incident will be in effect until at least Saturday afternoon. The warning will be extended if sharks are sighted in the area.

Maui fire and ocean safety officials patrolled the waters using rescue vessels and a drone. State officials provided shark warning signs and helped cordon off the area.

No details were given about what type of shark it was.

In June, renowned surfer Tamayo Perry was killed in a shark attack while surfing off the north coast of Oahu.