Shark Attack: 8-Year-Old Bitten In Third Recent Attack Off North Carolina Coast

An 8-year-old boy was reportedly attacked by a shark Sunday off the North Carolina coast. It is the third reported shark attack in the area in the past two weeks.

The attack occurred at about 4 p.m. when the boy was swimming in open waters near Bald Head Island in Brunswick County. The shark bit the boy's leg and then released him. The boy was able to return safely to the beach.

Safety officers later took the boy to a local center to treat his wounds. He was then transported to a local hospital on a ferry after his wounds were deemed not life-threatening. He has since been treated for multiple puncture wounds and is expected to make a full recovery.

It is unclear what type of shark bit the boy.

“I’ve heard about shark bites and attacks, but nothing really here so this is kind of news to me,” tourist Devan Davis told WECT, an NBC affiliate in Wilmington. “It can happen anywhere, but it also might now happen. It’s not to scare people, but if you see something, get out of the water a minute, watch, and just be careful.”

Two other shark attacks along the North Carolina coast have been reported in recent weeks.

The most recent attack occurred on June 10 when a 19-year-old surfer was bitten near Ocean Isle.

A 17-year-old woman lost a leg and two fingers on June 2 near Atlantic Beach. The victim's father reportedly punched the shark in the face five times to get it to release her.