Man suffers "significant" injuries in shark attack at San Diego beach

A 46-year-old man suffered injuries that were being described by officials as "significant" after a shark attack at a Southern California beach. 

The shark incident occurred around 9 a.m. Sunday in Del Mar about 100 yards offshore from the Beach Safety Center at 17th Street, according to the city of Del Mar. 

The incident prompted lifeguards to close beaches for swimming and surfing in Del Mar one mile in both directions from the incident from 6th Street to North Beach.

The victim was in a group of about a dozen swimmers when he was attacked. He suffered bites to the torso, left arm, and hand. His injuries, though significant, were not believed to be life-threatening. 

Kevin Barrett was one of those swimmers that rushed to aid his friend after the attack. 

"Was a little bit worried about what I'd see," Barrett said. "He was shouting, you know, 'I've been bitten by a shark.' We could see blood in the water and he said he'd been bitten on his chest, so I didn't know. I didn't know what I was swimming into."

He says that once they reached the man they flipped him over to focus on pulling him to safety. A surfer nearby lent them his board so they could safely swim him to shore where he was helped by lifeguards on duty. 

"The victim is in the hospital still, still in the ICU," said Jon Edelbrock, Del Mar Chief Lifeguard. "Had a successful day yseterday, beyond that, I don't have more information other than stable."

Signs have been posted warning beachgoers that the beaches have been closed for swimming and surfing. The water closure will remain in effect through 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Experts believe that the shark was a juvenile great white shark.

"There's a known aggregation of juveniles that hang out here and use this as a nursery," said Dr. Chris Lowe with Cal State University, Long Beach.

This incident comes just days after San Clemente closed off the water at several beaches after reports of aggressive shark behavior towards a surfer.