Fatal Shark Attack At Virginia Beach

Sept. 2 -- Swimmers headed back into the waters off of Virginia Beach just hours after a 10-year-old boy died after a shark attacked him while he was wading in four feet deep water with his father.

David Peltier was about 50 yards from shore with his father, Richard Peltier, when he was attacked. He died shortly before 4 a.m. this morning at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters in Norfolk.

Witnesses said the father wrestled with the shark and tried to free his son of its jaws.

"He had his right arm around the shark, kind of lifting it out of the water and his other hand was either banging on it or trying to pull it open to get it to turn loose of the kid," said Bub Langford, who witnessed the attack from the beach.

The attack occurred in Sandbridge Beach, a remote coastal community just south of Virginia Beach, at about 6 p.m. on Saturday. It's the latest in a spate of highly publicized shark attacks this summer.

The beach was closed after the attack but reopened today.

According to witnesses, the 7-foot to 9-foot shark grabbed David's left leg. The boy's father immediately went to help his son, hitting the shark on the head with his fists and trying to pry his mouth open.

The shark released the boy's leg after the father reportedly hit the shark in its eyes. David was then brought to the shore bleeding heavily from his severely injured leg.

Paramedics and lifeguards at the beach treated David before he and his father were brought to the hospital.

Richard was treated for a hand injury that occurred while trying to save his son.

"I speak for the entire city of Virginia Beach when I say how terribly saddened I am by this horrible accident," said Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf.

No Further Sign of Sharks Found

Surveillance teams worked in the water and by helicopter at 7 a.m. ET searching for signs of sharks, and determined that the beaches were safe to be reopened. Officials at a press conference this morning said no further signs of sharks were evident.