Encinitas Beach Reopens After Shark Attack

ENCINITAS, CA – An Encinitas beach reopened Monday following a shark attack that left a teenage boy seriously injured over the weekend.

Beacon's Beach and the surrounding areas – La Costa Avenue to Swami's Beach – reopened as of 7 a.m. Monday, according to the city of Encinitas.

"There have not been any official or public shark sightings in Encinitas since the non-fatal shark incident on Saturday morning," city officials said.

Keane Hayes, 13, was bitten by a shark around 7 a.m. Saturday, while diving for crustaceans on the first day of lobster-fishing season.

Witness Chad Hammel told reporters he had been with a group of friends in the ocean when he heard the Encinitas teen screaming.

"His whole clavicle was ripped open," Hammel said. "We told him he's going to be OK, he's going to be all right – we got help. I yelled at everyone to get out of the water."

Medics airlifted Keane to Rady Children's Hospital, where he was admitted in critical condition and underwent surgery.

By Sunday, the youth's condition had been upgraded to serious, according to hospital spokesman Carlos Delgado.

"The boy's parents want to inform family, friends and the entire community that he is expected to make a full recovery," Delgado said.

City officials said on Monday that authorities will continue to patrol the area throughout the week with lifeguard boats and trucks, Carlsbad police aerial surveillance, and support from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

Marine biologist Dr. Chris Lowe from California State University, Long Beach, received samples to identify the type of shark involved in the attack, according to the city. Officials were awaiting the lab results.

A GoFundMe fundraiser, which had a goal of $20,000, raised more than $25,000 as of Monday.

Also see:

• Encinitas Shark Attack Prompts Fundraiser For Victim
• Boy, 13, Attacked By Shark At Encinitas Beach

City News Service contributed to this report. GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.

Image via Shutterstock