Crime & Safety
Suspected Shark Attack Closes Beach at Corona Del Mar
A female was transported to a hospital with what appeared to be bite marks on her torso, but officials can not confirm it was due to a shark

CORONA DEL MAR, CA -- Newport Beach lifeguards have ordered everyone out of the water from Corona del Mar State Beach to the Newport Pier after a woman with bloody bites that may have been from a shark was pulled from the water off Corona del Mar, authorities said.
A lifeguard rescue boat was on patrol at 4:15 p.m. when lifeguards noticed a female swimmer in distress, said Newport Beach spokeswoman Tara Finnigan.
"A veteran lifeguard says he saw bite marks on her torso,'' Finnigan said. She was conscious and talking as she was taken to O.C. Global Medical Center.
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So far, the woman's injuries are not confirmed as a shark attack, Finnigan said. A helicopter has scoured the coastline and not spotted a shark in the ocean.
"The chief lifeguard says he cannot confirm it was a shark attack,'' Finnigan said.
Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The evacuation comes on Memorial Day weekend, one of the busiest beach weekends of the year.
- Also see: Orange County 2016 Memorial Day Events
--City News Service/Patch file photo