Eight-year-old reportedly bitten by shark at Bald Head Island

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A boy was reportedly bitten by a shark at Bald Head Island Sunday afternoon.

According to Chris McCall, a spokesperson for the Village of Bald Head Island, the incident occurred around 4 p.m.

“A young boy (8 years old) was bitten by something believed to be a shark given the type of wounds sustained and assessment made by 1^st responders,” McCall said in a written statement to WWAY.

The incident happened along South Beach on Bald Head Island and the injury was considered to be minimal with puncture wounds to the leg, McCall added.

Officials were unsure of the type of shark involved.

The boy was initially treated by Village Public Safety Officers and then transported by ferry about 20-25 minutes to a hospital on the mainland in Southport, NC.

McCall said the name of the victim will not be released due to his age.

The Village Public Safety Department employs year-round officers who are cross trained in Basic Law Enforcement, Fire Fighting and Emergency Services to include EMT-Basic to full Paramedic care level of service in addition to water rescue,” McCall said.

The Village of Bald Head Island also maintains a partnership with Dosher Memorial Hospital in Southport and they operate an on-island seasonal clinic from Memorial Day to Labor Day.