Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : Tragedy struck a Boston newlywed on Monday morning as she was fatally mauled by a shark while paddleboarding off the coast of the five-star Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort. The victim, identified as 44-year-old Lauren Erickson Van Wart, had been enjoying her honeymoon with her new husband when the horrifying incident occurred.
Eyewitnesses at the nearby beach reported hearing screams as the attack unfolded. A lifeguard rushed to help and attempted CPR, but Van Wart’s injuries were too severe. Photos and videos taken after the incident showed her covered body being brought back to the beach before being loaded into an ambulance.
According to Royal Bahamian Police Sergeant Desiree Ferguson, the attack occurred approximately three-quarters of a mile from the shoreline. Van Wart and her husband were paddleboarding when she was bitten by the shark. The lifeguard on duty quickly came to their rescue and brought them back to safety, but Van Wart had suffered serious injuries to her right hip and upper limb.
The tragic incident has left the staff and guests at the Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort traumatized. It remains unclear what type of shark was responsible for the attack, but tiger sharks and bull sharks are known to inhabit the waters off the coast of the Bahamas. Gavin Naylor, program director of the International Shark Attack File, mentioned that there have been several shark-related fatalities reported in the Bahamas in the past five years. The large tourist population and the presence of people in the water contribute to the sharks becoming acclimated and less cautious.
Fatal shark attacks are rare, with an average of five to six reported worldwide each year. Last year, there were a total of 57 unprovoked bites globally, with the majority occurring in the United States. The Bahamas has seen 33 confirmed unprovoked shark attacks since 1580, ranking it ninth worldwide.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that can be present in the ocean. Authorities in the Bahamas are still searching for a German woman who went missing late last month, believed to have been attacked by a shark while diving. It is important for beachgoers and water enthusiasts to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.