CARPINTERIA A woman was bitten by a marine mammal on Friday afternoon while swimming near Serena Avenue and Padaro Lane. She said the animal appeared to be a shark.
Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Mike Gallagher said the victim is in her 50s. She was “lap swimming” in the ocean 60 feet from shore when she was bitten. A fire crew and paramedics responded to the scene at about 2:30 p.m.. The victim was taken to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. She was released with minor injuries including two one-inch cuts on her foot.
Battalion Chief Gallagher said the victim saw what is “highly suspected” to be a shark. She estimated the animal was about six feet long with a black dorsal fin. She said a fin bumped her then the animal swam away quickly.
“According to Sheriff dispatch, there were several other sightings in the area, including Santa Claus Lane and Carpinteria State Park,” a fire protection district news release read.
Santa Barbara County Parks has posted “Shark Advisory Signs” at Santa Claus Lane and Loon Point in Summerland.
The signs will remain posted through this evening and may be extended if shark sightings continue.
