The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Please enter a valid email address
Please enter a valid email address
SIGN UP
I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice
Thanks for signing up to the
Evening Headlines email
{{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}
A diving adventure company in the Bahamas has launched an internal investigation into the death of a 10-year-old boy who was killed in a shark attack this week.
Blue Adventures by Stuart Cove was operating the expedition in a shark tank at a local resort on Paradise Island when the boy was bitten by a shark.
Stuart Cove of Blue Adventures said in a statement that his company was cooperating with the police and the diving experience was temporarily closed down.
"Incidents like this involving interactions with marine life, even with the species of sharks included in this experience, are rare and never acceptable," he said.
The boy from Maryland who has not been identified was bitten on his right leg on Monday and was taken to hospital for treatment, Royal Bahamas Police Force said.
RECOMMENDED
New Zealand MP resigns amid shoplifting allegations after CCTV footage emerges
Undo
Father killed in front of family is unmasked as hitman on international wanted list
Undo
New Mazda CX50
Mazda CX50 Is A True Head Turner (You'll Double Take At The Price)New Mazda CX50| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
VisionaryProfit
Exclusive Insight: 50-Year Wall Street Veteran Urges 'Buy This Stock in 2024!'VisionaryProfit| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Powered by Taboola Powered by Taboola
He was in serious but stable condition, police said, after he was airlifted to Maryland.
Mr Cove said a dive instructor and a dive guide were in the water when the shark attack occurred and that they provided immediate medical attention.
Promoted stories
Health Insight Journal
Nеurоpathy Breakthrough: Experts SpeechlessHealth Insight Journal Learn More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
He said the incident is the first of its kind since the experience began operating in 2006.
There are between 30 and 40 species of sharks that live in the waters around the Bahamas, according to Gavin Naylor, director of the International Shark Attack File in Florida.
The Caribbean reef shark, the bull shark, the tiger shark and the black tip shark were the most likely to bite, he said.
There were 57 unprovoked shark bites worldwide in 2022, with nine fatalities, according to the International Shark Attack File.
The Bahamas has seen 33 unprovoked shark attacks since 1749, according to the data.
In the US shark attacks are rare, and fatal incidents are even more unlikely. Eight shark encounters were reported in Hawaii in 2023, per NBC, but only one was fatal.
Last month, an American newlywed was killed by a shark the day after her wedding while paddle boarding in the Bahamas. The female victim, who was from Boston, tied the knot on Sunday and was attacked on Monday morning in waters less than a mile off the western end of New Providence Island.
In the same month, a 39-year-old surfer Jason Carter died after an encounter near the Paia Bay area of Maui.
More about Bahamas US Maryland
Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
1Comments
1/ 1Bahamas diving experience probes after shark attack on US boy
Bahamas diving experience probes after shark attack on US boy
Underwater image of bull shark getting close up in the blue ocean of Bimini, The Bahamas
Getty Images
Read More Comments
Collapse Comments
？ Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Subscribe
Already subscribed? Log in