Shark attack at Big River Beach leaves surfer with severe leg injuries

A 39-year-old surfer is recovering after sustaining serious injuries to both legs in a shark attack off Northern California.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, March 18, at Big River Beach in Mendocino Headlands State Park. 

According to the California State Lifeguards, the man was bitten at approximately 5:18 p.m. local time while catching waves. 

Three off-duty lifeguards rushed to the scene, administered immediate medical aid, and helped transport him to a hospital in Fort Bragg.

“This incident highlights the importance of having ocean lifeguard programs, and we thank our lifeguards for their quick, heroic actions,” the California State Lifeguards said in an Instagram statement on Friday, March 20. 

They added that lifeguards are trained to respond to emergencies like shark bites, which, though rare, can occur along the rural northern California coastline.

As a precaution, the beach has been closed for 48 hours, part of standard safety protocols. State Parks has posted warning signs at nearby beaches to alert the public.

Several agencies assisted at the scene, including the Mendocino Volunteer Fire Department, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and Mendocino Coast paramedics. 

The CDFW has collected evidence and is leading an investigation into the attack.

“Sharks are an important part of the coastal ecosystem, and interactions between people and sharks are rare,” the lifeguards noted.