Two Americans drown, another bitten by shark in The Bahamas
NASSAU, The Bahamas (CMC) — A 63-year-old American man, who was attacked by a shark while spearfishing near Big Grand Cay, The Bahamas, has been airlifted to the United States (US) for medical treatment.
A statement from the Royal Bahamas Police Force did not identify the American national, but the incident occurred a few weeks after another American, 66-year-old Mike Raich, survived a shark bite while spearfishing off Spanish Cay.
In that case, one of the shark’s teeth was left lodged in his arm, and doctors said he narrowly avoided life-threatening damage to major nerves and arteries. Raich, a United States Marine veteran, required surgery to reattach his tricep but has since recovered.
Meanwhile, Bahamian police say they are also investigating the death of two American tourists who drowned in separate incidents over the last weekend at Celebration Key on Grand Bahama.
“Our lifeguards and medical team responded to two separate water emergency incidents at Celebration Key…one in the lagoon and one at the beach,” Celebration Key said in a statement.
“Sadly, both guests have passed away. One guest was sailing with family on Mardi Gras, and one guest was sailing with family on Carnival Elation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the guests and their families, and our care team is providing assistance.”
In its statement, the police said in the first incident, the body of a 79-year-old man had been discovered on board a commercial boat.
“According to the initial report, the male became unresponsive while snorkelling on a beach. A lifeguard assisted him from the water, and CPR was administered, but to no avail. As a result, the male who is reported to be an American national was pronounced deceased by a medical doctor,” the police statement said.
It said that in the second incident, a 74-year-old American woman became unresponsive while swimming in a pool.
She was assisted out of the water by a lifeguard, and CPR was administered, but she later died.
“An autopsy will be performed on both victims to assist with determining the exact cause of death. The investigation continues in both matters,” the police said without disclosing their names.
