Rockaway Beach reopens for swimming as shark bite victim recovers, family says
NEW YORK -- Rockaway Beach reopened to swimmers on Wednesday morning, more than a day after a woman was bitten by a shark.
Working together, the NYPD, FDNY and Parks Department surveyed the waters by land, boat and drone and eventually made the decision to open the beach to swimming. It's something they plan to do every morning one hour before opening time for the rest of the summer, along the 10-mile stretch of beach in the Rockaways.
"If we spot a shark, then we'll make a decision to close the beach. We will also keep the drones up in the air and our marine units out in the water during the day while swimmers are swimming," FDNY 1st Deputy Commissioner Joseph Pfeifer said.
- READ MORE: Rockaway Beach closed to swimming and surfing Tuesday after woman seriously hurt in shark attack
CBS New York spotted some swimmers in the water and others about to go in.
Many said they were not concerned, even though a 65-year-old woman was bitten by a shark on her left leg on Monday just before 6 p.m.
"I feel like she was in the wrong place at the wrong time," said Ashlynn Alexander of Hamilton Heights.
Kren Herrera of the Bronx said she heard about what happened, but added when asked about her concerns, "If it happens, it happens."
"Like she said, if it happens, it happens. It's their home, not ours," added Aaron Pry of the Bronx.
Lifeguards and beachgoers said though the crowd on a typical summer Wednesday is small, the one on this particular Wednesday was smaller than usual.
"What a great beach day. Look how few people there are here," Alexander said.
Meanwhile, the family of the woman still in the hospital after Monday's shark bite released a statement thanking lifeguards, emergency response workers and Jamaica Hospital while also asking for continued privacy. It reads, in part, "Our mother is grateful to be alive ... We are deeply moved by the outpouring of support we have received. We focus all of our energies on helping her to recover."
The victim's exact treatment has not been revealed. Officials said they will also be monitoring other city beaches until dusk.
CBS New York spoke with Micah Behrend, a man who says he was bitten by a shark at Rockaway Beach back in 2017. He says the attack left him with a painful gash on his foot.
While his injuries have healed, he says he's still a little more cautious when getting in the water.
"I think dawn and dusk are when sharks like to feed, from what I've heard, from what I've read, and I'm definitely a little more wary and try to be a little more cautious in general and surf with friends so everyone is looking out and stick together," Behrend said.