A lifeguard working at Jones Beach State Park on Monday was "potentially" bitten by a shark, prompting officials to suspend swimming for several hours.
NYS Parks officials say the incident happened around 11 a.m. near Central Mall. The lifeguard was treated at the scene before moving to a nearby hospital "for further examination."
State Police responded to the beach and flew a drone to inspect the waters near the possible shark bite. The beach reopened roughly three hours later after the drone flights failed to spot a shark, according to a parks official.
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The lifeguard was reportedly body surfing when something grabbed his leg, a source told News 4. The lifeguard was able to kick it off about 15 yards from the shore.
Five hours after the incident, officials could still not confirm whether the lifeguard suffered a shark bite.
"The nature of the injury remains under medical investigation at this time," a state parks spokesperson said.
