Woman loses arm in suspected shark attack off Maui
WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) — A German woman has been critically injured in a suspected shark attack off south Maui.
Maui County emergency responders say the woman's right arm was severed as she snorkeled about 50 yards off shore at Palauea Beach.
The woman, who is about 20 years old, was helped to shore by two male friends and a kayaker and rushed to Maui Memorial Medical Center.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser (http://bit.ly/19vEsCN) reports the attack was the fifth off Maui this year and the eighth in Hawaii, according to state data. Last year saw 11 attacks, the most in a dozen years and far above the annual average of 4.75.
The woman's friends did not see the attack and Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga said it is assumed, but not confirmed, that she was injured by a shark.
