News Summary
Hilton Head Island has seen two shark bite incidents within a week, leading to heightened anxiety among beachgoers. The latest victim, injured at Coligny Beach, and a 12-year-old girl bitten near Sea Pines Resort, both sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Local authorities are urging caution as shark encounters rise, amidst reports of similar incidents elsewhere. With 47 unprovoked shark attacks reported globally in 2024, beach safety awareness is essential for visitors enjoying the ocean during summer.
Hilton Head Island – A second beachgoer has been hospitalized for injuries consistent with a shark bite within a week on Hilton Head Island. The latest incident took place around noon on Sunday at Coligny Beach, where the victim sustained a non-life-threatening laceration to their leg.
Shore Beach Service confirmed the injury and provided initial treatment on the scene before Hilton Head Island Fire-Rescue transported the individual to a local hospital for further care. The nature of the injury was consistent with typical shark bite lacerations, although authorities assure that it does not pose a life-threatening risk.
This incident follows closely behind another shark bite that occurred just days earlier. On June 17, around noon, a 12-year-old girl suffered a shark bite while swimming near Sea Pines Resort. She was treated at the scene, then airlifted to a hospital in Savannah, Georgia, approximately 40 miles from Hilton Head Island. Authorities reported that the girl was conscious and breathing but had lost a significant amount of blood due to the injury on her lower right leg just below the kneecap. Her injuries were also deemed to be non-life-threatening.
Both incidents highlight a growing concern among beachgoers. The timing of these attacks coincides with reports of a separate shark attack affecting another child in Florida. A 9-year-old girl named Leah Lendel lost her hand during a shark attack while snorkeling near Boca Grande on June 11, prior to the Hilton Head incidents. Leah required extensive medical attention and undergone a six-hour emergency surgery due to severe injuries sustained during the attack.
As the summer beach season continues, it’s crucial for beachgoers to remain vigilant, especially following the recent surge in shark involvement in human encounters. According to the International Shark Attack File, there have been a total of 47 unprovoked shark attacks reported globally in 2024, with four resulting in fatalities. This statistic underscores the rarity of such occurrences relative to the millions of people enjoying coastal activities each year.
In light of the recent incidents, local authorities and beach service staff are urging visitors to be cautious while swimming or engaging in water activities. Awareness and adherence to safety guidelines are encouraged to minimize the risk of shark encounters.
The 12-year-old girl and the latest victim at Coligny Beach both received timely care from first responders, highlighting the importance of rapid response in emergency situations. The environments where these incidents occurred are popular tourist destinations known for their beautiful beaches, drawing families and visitors alike.
Beachgoers are reminded to stay informed about the local waters’ conditions and to be aware of the presence of sharks during their visits. Awareness and education remain vital components in enhancing beach safety and enjoying the ocean responsibly during the summer months.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
12-Year-Old Girl Survives Shark Bite on Hilton Head Island
12-Year-Old Girl Airlifted After Shark Attack in Hilton Head
12-Year-Old Girl Airlifted After Shark Bite in South Carolina
12-Year-Old Girl Airlifted After Suspected Shark Bite in Hilton Head
Shark Attack Injures Beachgoer at Hilton Head Island
12-Year-Old Girl Airlifted to Hospital After Shark Bite Incident
12-Year-Old Girl Airlifted After Shark Bite on Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island Airlifts 12-Year-Old Girl After Shark Attack
Beach Safety Guidelines for Families in Hilton Head
Shark Bite Incident on Hilton Head Island Leaves Girl Injured
Additional Resources
- ABC News
- Wikipedia: Shark Attack
- Fox News
- Google Search: Shark attacks Hilton Head Island
- WJCL
- Google Scholar: Shark Attacks
- People
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Shark Attacks
- Post and Courier
- Google News: Hilton Head shark attacks
- Island Packet
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sharks
Author: STAFF HERE HILTON HEAD
The HERE Hilton Head Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Hilton Head community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Hilton Head Our team includes lifelong Hilton Head residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent listings of historic homes 0 , Hilton Head’s Gullah heritage and coastal culture 6 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Technical College of the Lowcountry programs) 10 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and...
