A 27-year-old man is in serious condition following a shark attack Sunday afternoon off Upolu Point in North Kohala, according to the Hawaii County Fire Department.
Braxton Rocha was attacked by a tiger shark.
Responding to a 3:52 p.m. alarm, fire personnel met a truck carrying the injured man on Akoni Pule Highway. The man was transferred to Medic 15, treated and transported to Kamehameha Park where he was airlifted by Chopper 2 to North Hawaii Community Hospital, the department said.
Department of Land and Natural Resources officials report that Rocha said the tiger shark that bit him was estimated to be 13-feet long, and bit his left thigh and calf. The incident happened in murky, brown waters.Rocha was able to swim to shore and alert his fishing companion that he had been injured.
Laurie Rocha, the victim’s mother, said via social media that her son received a “good prognosis” from the doctor.