Hammerhead Shark Bites Diver Off San Diego Coast

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard

13. August 2015

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Coast Guard medevacs man 100 miles west of San Diego

SAN DIEGO — The Coast Guard medically evacuated a 58-year-old man from a passenger vessel approximately 100 miles west of San Diego, Monday.

At 8:10 a.m., Monday, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Diego received a report from the crew of the passenger vessel Peace that a 58-year-old male passenger was bitten on the right hand by a hammerhead shark while diving. Basic first aid was rendered by an EMT onboard.

Sector San Diego’s flight surgeon recommended that the patient be medically evacuated and taken to a hospital for emergency care. 

A Sector MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter was launched, arrived on scene, then safely hoisted the man at 10 a.m.

The Jayhawk crew returned to Sector San Diego at 10:47 a.m., where he was transferred to awaiting EMS.

He was taken to UCSD Medical Center, Hillcrest, in San Diego. He was in stable condition.

Source: US Coast Guard