Water Sports Death: Kite Board Surfer Killed in Shark Attack off South Florida Coast
A day of kiteboarding off South Florida's Treasure Coast turned tragic as a 38-year-old man was reportedly killed in a shark attack, possibly involving multiple sharks.
The Martin County Sheriff's Office reported that a lifeguard saw a kite board surfer in trouble about 500 yards off shore near Stuart, Florida. The lifeguard, who paddled out to assist, found Stephen Howard Schafer on his board bleeding and surrounded by sharks. The victim was brought to an area hospital but died of his injuries.
Stuart, Florida is in Martin County south of Fort Pierce and north of West Palm Beach, in the Port St. Lucie, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Kiteboard surfers strap their feet to a board and are pulled along the water by a sail. Like traditional surfing, it's a form of water recreation enjoyed by adventurous people who appreciate Florida's sun, sand, and surf. A Palm Beach County, Florida accident lawyer is aware that any type of water sports recreation comes with some risk of injury or even death. This includes boat accidents, personal watercraft accidents, surfing accidents, and parasailing accidents.
A Miami, Florida newspaper reported that the beach in Stuart remained open after the fatal shark attack. The last fatal shark attack in the Sunshine State occurred off the Florida Panhandle in 2005. It is unknown at this time what type of sharks were involved in this fatal attack near Stuart, Florida.
Kiteboarder dies in rare fatal shark attack off Florida
Associated Press, Miami Herald Feb. 4, 2010
Lifeguard describes rescue of shark attack victim
Associated Press, Yahoo! News Feb. 4, 2010
Related Web Resources
Florida Museum of Natural History: How to Avoid a Shark Attack
International Shark Attack File
