A woman was taken to a hospital Monday after suffering a leg injury while swimming at Norton Point in Edgartown, Massachusetts, in an incident officials said may have involved a shark.
Emergency crews were called to the beach around 1:40 p.m. after the woman, who is in her late 20s, was injured in the water. She had wounds on her lower leg that officials said were consistent with a bite from a marine animal.
No shark or other marine animal was seen or confirmed to have been involved.
The woman received treatment from Edgartown Fire and EMS personnel at the scene before being transported to a hospital for additional care. Her injuries were considered non-life-threatening and did not involve the loss of a limb.
The incident prompted officials to temporarily suspend swimming at South Beach while town personnel evaluated conditions in the area. The precautionary closure followed the report of a possible shark encounter.
Earlier reports from the scene indicated that responders were initially alerted to a possible shark bite after the swimmer was pulled from the water.
Officials have not confirmed what caused the woman’s injuries.
Beachgoers were urged to stay alert while in the water and to follow directions from lifeguards and any posted beach advisories. Town personnel were expected to assess conditions before swimming restrictions were lifted.
The incident remains classified as a potential shark bite rather than a confirmed shark attack because no shark was observed or identified in connection with the injury.
