Woman dies in shark attack while paddle-boarding in Bahamas day after wedding

The kind of shark that attacked the unnamed woman is not clear. (Representational image)

A woman from Boston, United States, was killed in a shark attack while paddle-boarding near a beach resort in the Bahamas on Monday. She had gotten married the day before. The woman was accompanied by a male relative, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said in a news release. According to WCVB, the incident happened less than a mile off the western end of New Providence Island.

The kind of shark that attacked the unnamed woman is not clear. The attack happened near Sandals Resort on Cable Beach, the Independent reported. “Shortly after 11.15am, police were notified that a female visitor from Boston, Massachusetts, USA, was subsequently attacked by a shark,” the police said in the release.

“According to initial reports, the female – along with a male relative – were paddle boarding just at the rear of a resort in western Providence, some 3/4 miles out from the shoreline, when she was bitten by the shark.” A lifeguard who noticed the attack went into the water on a boat to try and rescue the victim and her relative. The lifeguard also administered CPR on the woman, according to the police.

“The victim suffered significant trauma to the right side of her body. She was examined on scene by emergency medical technicians, who concluded that she showed no vital signs of life,” the police said in the release.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of a guest while on a paddle boarding activity nearly a mile from the shore. We wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the guest’s family and loved ones. We remain in close contact with them and are providing all support possible during this difficult time,” Sandals Resort said in a statement.

Gavin Naylor, director of the International Shark Attack File in Florida, told the Associated Press that there are between 30 and 40 species of sharks that live in the waters around the Bahamas.

The sharks to most likely bite are the Caribbean reef shark, the bull shark, the tiger shark and the black tip shark.