Two teens lose limbs in separate shark attacks at North Carolina beach, Any other summer day, the waters off North Carolina's Oak Island would be alive with the sounds of vacationers frolicking in the surf.
On Monday, the beach wasn't empty, but nearly everyone stayed on dry land.
The reason?
It was the day after two teenagers lost arms in separate shark attacks.
This area, which has mostly houses and no high-rises, does not attract the throngs of visitors that more touristy beaches do. It's mostly a haven for families that come and rent houses and enjoy the beach. But even by local standards, the beaches were quite desolate.
Helicopters from the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office monitored the coastline Monday.
The victims
A 13-year-old girl was the first swimmer attacked, Oak Island Mayor Betty Wallace said. About 90 minutes later, as medics were still tending to her, a 16-year-old boy was attacked.
Both victims in Sunday's attacks were airlifted to New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington. Both arrived in critical condition but have since been upgraded to fair, hospital spokeswoman Martha Harlan said.
She said each has had an arm amputated -- his below the shoulder, hers at the elbow. The girl also suffered serious tissue damage to her leg, Harlan said.
A popular beach spot
Wallace told CNN that shark attacks are so rare at Oak Island -- a beach town on the state's southernmost coast -- that she couldn't remember one occurring before Sunday.
Witness Jason Hunter told CNN affiliate WWAY that the shark involved in the attack on the boy was 7 or 8 feet long.
Both incidents occurred at high tide in the vicinity of Ocean Crest Pier, a popular destination among beachgoers.
"At the pier this time of year, I'm sure the beach was packed," said Wallace.
The pier is also a popular spot to fish from, meaning there was probably bait in the water that could have attracted sharks.
Emergency call
A 911 call released by Brunswick County captured the drama of the first attack.
The dispatcher tells the caller, "We're getting help on the way. Are any of the fingers completely amputated?"
The response: "It looks like her entire hand is gone."
On Monday, the beach wasn't empty, but nearly everyone stayed on dry land.
The reason?
It was the day after two teenagers lost arms in separate shark attacks.
This area, which has mostly houses and no high-rises, does not attract the throngs of visitors that more touristy beaches do. It's mostly a haven for families that come and rent houses and enjoy the beach. But even by local standards, the beaches were quite desolate.
Helicopters from the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office monitored the coastline Monday.
The victims
A 13-year-old girl was the first swimmer attacked, Oak Island Mayor Betty Wallace said. About 90 minutes later, as medics were still tending to her, a 16-year-old boy was attacked.
Both victims in Sunday's attacks were airlifted to New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington. Both arrived in critical condition but have since been upgraded to fair, hospital spokeswoman Martha Harlan said.
She said each has had an arm amputated -- his below the shoulder, hers at the elbow. The girl also suffered serious tissue damage to her leg, Harlan said.
A popular beach spot
Wallace told CNN that shark attacks are so rare at Oak Island -- a beach town on the state's southernmost coast -- that she couldn't remember one occurring before Sunday.
Witness Jason Hunter told CNN affiliate WWAY that the shark involved in the attack on the boy was 7 or 8 feet long.
Both incidents occurred at high tide in the vicinity of Ocean Crest Pier, a popular destination among beachgoers.
"At the pier this time of year, I'm sure the beach was packed," said Wallace.
The pier is also a popular spot to fish from, meaning there was probably bait in the water that could have attracted sharks.
Emergency call
A 911 call released by Brunswick County captured the drama of the first attack.
The dispatcher tells the caller, "We're getting help on the way. Are any of the fingers completely amputated?"
The response: "It looks like her entire hand is gone."
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