(La Vernia) — A La Vernia man was among the victims of a shark attack in South Padre Island.
The victim, who is only being described as a 35-year-old man, immediately underwent surgery and is said to be in stable condition.
According to South Padre Island Police Detectives, the La Vernia man had run out of the ocean with what they say was a “severe deep laceration to his left thigh area sustained by a shark bite.” The incident was reported just before 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 4th.
The La Vernia man was one of four beachgoers, who continue to recover following an encounter with a shark along the popular South Texas island.
Local officials say the four separate attacks were all reported within two hours.
Of the four victims, three were hospitalized.
The fourth victim is said to have sustained only minor injuries and was reportedly treated at the scene.
Texas Parks and Wildlife officials say they believe the encounters were with a bull shark.
Game wardens, the South Padre Island Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety and others assisted with crowd control.
Although four attacks were reported on Thursday, officials say attacks like this are still somewhat rare in Texas.