An American woman from Boston has died after being attacked by a shark while paddleboarding in the Bahamas. Local news reports say the tragic incident occurred the day after the 44-year-old victim’s wedding.
According to a statement from the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the woman was paddleboarding with a relative off the shore of a Sandals resort on the island of New Providence on Monday morning, when she was bitten by the shark.
The statement said the police were informed just after 11.15 am, and the woman and her relative – who was unharmed – were approximately 3/4 of a mile (1.2km) offshore when the incident occurred. A lifeguard who witnessed the attack took a boat out to rescue the pair but, despite performing CPR, the woman had ‘suffered significant trauma to the right side of her body’ and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The species of shark involved has not been identified, however, the area is renowned for its populations of bull and tiger sharks, a popular tourist draw for divers. Although large sharks are ever present in Bahamian waters, attacks are incredibly rare. Despite Nassau receiving more than 4.2 million visitors in 2022 – many of whom will have enjoyed a range of watersports activities – there have been just 32 confirmed unprovoked shark attacks in the whole of the Bahamas since 1749.
‘We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of a guest while on a paddleboarding activity nearly a mile from the shore,’ said a spokesperson for Sandals Resorts. ‘We wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the guest’s family and loved ones. We remain in close contact with them and are providing all support possible during this difficult time.’
