American tourist severely injured in shark attack while spearfishing in the Bahamas

The tourist from Massachusetts severely injured her hand.

September 24, 2018, 12:40 AM

An American tourist suffered a severe injury when she was attacked by a shark while spearfishing in the Bahamas Sunday afternoon, according to authorities.

The unnamed Massachusetts native had “severe trauma” to her left hand, and was flown by air ambulance to a hospital in Florida.

“She isn’t mad at the shark because getting attacked is a common risk with spearfishing,” Abaco Fire Chief Colin Albury told ABC News.

PHOTO: The 32-year-old woman from Massachusetts was transported to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., after being attacked by a shark on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018.
The 32-year-old woman from Massachusetts was transported to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., after being attacked by a shark on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018.
Abaco Fire Chief Colin Albury
PHOTO: The 32-year-old woman from Massachusetts was transported to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., after being attacked by a shark on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018.
The 32-year-old woman from Massachusetts was transported to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., after being attacked by a shark on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018.
Abaco Fire Chief Colin Albury

According to Albury, the 32-year-old woman is an experienced spearfisher who has a vacation home in the Treasure Cay area of Abaco Island in the Bahamas.

The attack happened when she was swimming back to her boat with a speared fish. She was with three other people, but no one else was injured.

PHOTO: The 32-year-old woman from Massachusetts was transported to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., after being attacked by a shark on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018.
The 32-year-old woman from Massachusetts was transported to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., after being attacked by a shark on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018.
Abaca Fire Chief Colin Albury

The victim is now being treated by a trauma surgeon at Memorial Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, authorities said.

According to Albury, this is the first shark attack in Treasure Cay this year.

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