Shark bites off girl's arm

Published on 01/11/2003 00:00

A SHARK bit off the left arm of a 13-year-old competitive surfer while she was lying on her board in clear water, authorities in Hawaii said.

Bethany Hamilton was attacked on Kauai’s North Shore yesterday morning.

There was a single bite, and then the shark disappeared.

"There was no warning," said Battalion Chief Bob Kaden.

The teenager was surfing with her best friend and her friend’s father, who immediately applied a tourniquet using a surf leash.