Beaches will remain closed until future notice after a third victim of a shark attack was reported today in Amity.
James Parks, 30, was killed about 1:30 p.m. after a shark knocked him off of his rowboat and into the water. The incident occurred in a small pond next to the main beach. All that was found left of Parks was a severed leg with a shoe still intact.
Officials are urging people to stay out of the water and to report any sightings or incidents to the police or Coast Guard.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Shark Responsible for Deaths of Two Locals Caught
A day after Amity decides to close local beaches, the killer shark responsible for the deaths of two locals is caught and killed.
The shark was said to be the cause of the deaths of Alex B. Kintner, 10, and Christine W. Watson, 17, who were reported dead over the past couple of days.
Oceanographic Institute marine biologist Matt Hooper inspected the shark after being brought ashore and found the shark to be a nurse shark, one of the most brutal and dangerous sharks along the East Coast.
For his heroic actions, the fisherman who caught the shark one mile south-southwest of Amity will be rewarded $3,000.
Amity will immediately reopen beaches for the Fourth of July weekend following the capture of the shark.
With the capture of the shark, Amity is still taking precautions for the upcoming Fourth of July weekend by having shark spotters in the air, on boats, and from land from the Coast Guard, Marine Patrol, Massachusetts State Police, U.S. Navy, Homeland Security, FBI, and other police agencies along the coast.
"They are simply a safety precaution that we hope will put our visitors at ease," Amity Police Chief Martin Brody said.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to return to the beach and get back to life before the attacks.
"I urge all our residents to recreate at the beaches in order to encourage the participation of all our visitors in the wonderful water sports if which we all so happily partake throughout the summer," Brody said.
Officials still want the public to be aware of their surroundings when heading back to the beach, though. In the case of another shark spotting, Amity urges people to report sightings to authorities at their toll-free shark hotline, 1-800-sharksee.
Recently, a false alarm occurred at one of the beaches after two children snorkeled around with a cardboard fin. People cleared the water in mass chaos as officials centered in on the fin.
Authorities assured the public that instances like this will be dealt with and the public should not fear of similar problems.
"We believe we can safely say that the danger of future shark attacks has probably passed," Brody said; "Amity's darkest days are behind us."
The shark was said to be the cause of the deaths of Alex B. Kintner, 10, and Christine W. Watson, 17, who were reported dead over the past couple of days.
Oceanographic Institute marine biologist Matt Hooper inspected the shark after being brought ashore and found the shark to be a nurse shark, one of the most brutal and dangerous sharks along the East Coast.
For his heroic actions, the fisherman who caught the shark one mile south-southwest of Amity will be rewarded $3,000.
Amity will immediately reopen beaches for the Fourth of July weekend following the capture of the shark.
With the capture of the shark, Amity is still taking precautions for the upcoming Fourth of July weekend by having shark spotters in the air, on boats, and from land from the Coast Guard, Marine Patrol, Massachusetts State Police, U.S. Navy, Homeland Security, FBI, and other police agencies along the coast.
"They are simply a safety precaution that we hope will put our visitors at ease," Amity Police Chief Martin Brody said.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to return to the beach and get back to life before the attacks.
"I urge all our residents to recreate at the beaches in order to encourage the participation of all our visitors in the wonderful water sports if which we all so happily partake throughout the summer," Brody said.
Officials still want the public to be aware of their surroundings when heading back to the beach, though. In the case of another shark spotting, Amity urges people to report sightings to authorities at their toll-free shark hotline, 1-800-sharksee.
Recently, a false alarm occurred at one of the beaches after two children snorkeled around with a cardboard fin. People cleared the water in mass chaos as officials centered in on the fin.
Authorities assured the public that instances like this will be dealt with and the public should not fear of similar problems.
"We believe we can safely say that the danger of future shark attacks has probably passed," Brody said; "Amity's darkest days are behind us."
Friday, December 3, 2010
Friday December 3
In Friday's paper, the big story in the Sports Section was the US losing the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids to Russia and Qatar. The US was very disappointed to lose the bid to these countries after they felt they made a good case. Yes, it could have been very good for our country, but Americans are not as passionate about soccer as many other countries. In Europe, the people are so passionate about soccer and pour their hearts into every game. The atmosphere in those countries would be better than the Americans. I'm not sure about the bid for Qatar and feel that it could have been better in a more western Europe country. On the other hand, having the World Cup in the US could have given the sport the proper publicity and gotten more people interested in the sport.
Thursday night, Lebron made his awaited return to Cleveland after disappointing fans all around Ohio a couple of months ago. James strutted onto the court like he still owned the place and that the booing fans did not even phase him. He even did his ritual chalk toss in front of Cleveland fans. In post game interviews, he praised his new team and boasted about his teammates. Fans were still very angry about James' departure and a fight even broke out in the crowd over someone holding a James jersey. It is clear that Cleveland is still bitter about James' unexpected exit.
Thursday night, Lebron made his awaited return to Cleveland after disappointing fans all around Ohio a couple of months ago. James strutted onto the court like he still owned the place and that the booing fans did not even phase him. He even did his ritual chalk toss in front of Cleveland fans. In post game interviews, he praised his new team and boasted about his teammates. Fans were still very angry about James' departure and a fight even broke out in the crowd over someone holding a James jersey. It is clear that Cleveland is still bitter about James' unexpected exit.
Police are looking further into the death of local girl after a local boy was fatally attacked by a shark in Amity on Monday.
Alex B. Kintner, 10, was swimming on his float Monday afternoon at Village Beach when he was viciously attacked and his float washed ashore is pieces surrounded by blood.
The cause of death is still unknown at the time, but police are saying it appears "to have been a vicious and unprovoked shark attack."
This comes just hours after police found the mangled body of Christine W. Watson, 17, washed ashore. At that time, police were not looking into a shark attack as her cause of death.
Watson was last seen by Christopher P. Hoggenbottam III after the two had left a party at South Beach.
Watson and Hoggenbottam had decided to go for a swim but Hoggenbottam passed out before entering the water.
"She was running into the water," Hoggenbottam said, "and next thing I know the police found her mangled body."
Police encouraged people to still go to the beach after Watson's death because they were not in the same danger.
After a second attack, a Town Hall meeting will be held tonight at 6 p.m. to discuss the closure of the beach and plans to hunt the shark thought to be the cause of death for both of the victims.
"I join Amity Major Bob Farley in expressing the town's deepest and most sincere condolences to the Kintner family," Police Chief Martin Brody said; "Now we know that these random acts of senseless violence, victimizing innocent, helpless citizens, do not just happen in the city."
Sidebar: Shark Attacks in New Hampshire
One of the biggest fears for New Englanders who live on the coast is sharks. In reality, sharks do not pose much of a threat to the New England area. There has not been an attack in New England waters in 75 years even though there have been many sightings over the years.
New Castle retired fisherman Jeff Cullen is not worried about a shark threat. "All sharks can be dangerous, but they usually don't attack humans," Cullen said. "Sharks do come in close to shore chasing fish."
In New England, there have only been five reported fatal shark attacks and the most recent occurred in 1936 in Mattapoint, Massachusetts.
There are three main sharks associated with attacks, Great Whites, Tiger, and Bull Sharks. Out of the three, only Great Whites and Tiger are seen in New England. There are also many other types of non-threatening sharks in the area as well. Mako, poorbeagle, blue, and thrasher sharks have been sighted over the years.
Recently this year, there have been multiple sightings in the New Hampshire area. In June, two sharks were spotted off the York, Maine coast. In July, a 7-foot Great White was spotted off the coast of Cape Cod. A dozen Great Whites were see off the coast of Cape Cod.
According to the Florida Museum of Natural History, people are much likelier to get struck by lightning than be attacked by a shark.
For New Hampshire and other the rest of New England, sharks might keep people out of the water but rarely pose a great threat. On the other hand, there is still a precaution that everyone should take when going to the beach.
New Castle retired fisherman Jeff Cullen is not worried about a shark threat. "All sharks can be dangerous, but they usually don't attack humans," Cullen said. "Sharks do come in close to shore chasing fish."
In New England, there have only been five reported fatal shark attacks and the most recent occurred in 1936 in Mattapoint, Massachusetts.
There are three main sharks associated with attacks, Great Whites, Tiger, and Bull Sharks. Out of the three, only Great Whites and Tiger are seen in New England. There are also many other types of non-threatening sharks in the area as well. Mako, poorbeagle, blue, and thrasher sharks have been sighted over the years.
Recently this year, there have been multiple sightings in the New Hampshire area. In June, two sharks were spotted off the York, Maine coast. In July, a 7-foot Great White was spotted off the coast of Cape Cod. A dozen Great Whites were see off the coast of Cape Cod.
According to the Florida Museum of Natural History, people are much likelier to get struck by lightning than be attacked by a shark.
For New Hampshire and other the rest of New England, sharks might keep people out of the water but rarely pose a great threat. On the other hand, there is still a precaution that everyone should take when going to the beach.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)