Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : Boston Woman Identified as Victim of Fatal Shark Attack in the Bahamas
BOSTON, MA — The Royal Bahamas Police Force has identified the Boston woman who tragically lost her life in a shark attack while visiting the Bahamas as 44-year-old Lauren Erickson Van Wart. Van Wart was a math editor and had been employed by Curriculum Associates, a reputable North Billerica company that provides valuable resources for teachers. Her sudden demise has left her colleagues and friends devastated.
Rob Waldron, CEO of Curriculum Associates, expressed his deep sorrow in a statement shared with various news outlets, including Boston25. He described Van Wart as a cherished and trustworthy colleague and friend, and the entire team mourns her shocking loss.
The fatal incident occurred on Monday morning while Van Wart was paddleboarding with a relative behind a resort in western New Providence. Authorities have not disclosed the specific species of shark responsible for the attack. A resort lifeguard promptly responded to the distress call, rushing to the scene in a rescue boat. They were able to pull Van Wart and her relative out of the water and transport them safely to shore, administering CPR to Van Wart along the way.
Emergency medical technicians arrived at the scene and conducted an examination, revealing severe trauma on the right side of Van Wart’s body with no signs of life. Gavin Naylor, program director of the International Shark Attack File in Florida, highlighted that there have been a few shark-related fatalities reported in the Bahamas over the past five years. Naylor explained that the Bahamas is a popular tourist destination, attracting many visitors who engage in activities such as fishing or diving with sharks. Consequently, the sharks in the area become accustomed to human presence and may display less caution than in other locations.
The Bahamas is home to approximately 30 to 40 shark species. Among them, the Caribbean reef shark, bull shark, tiger shark, and black tip shark have the highest bite frequency. Naylor emphasized that fatal shark attacks are rare, with an average of only five to six reported worldwide each year. Australia tends to have the highest number of incidents, followed by the United States. In 2020, the International Shark Attack File documented a total of 57 unprovoked shark bites globally, with the majority occurring in the U.S.
According to the file, there have been 33 confirmed unprovoked shark attacks in the Bahamas since 1580, ranking the island ninth worldwide in terms of such incidents.
The loss of Lauren Erickson Van Wart is a tragic reminder of the risks associated with sharing our waters with these majestic creatures, and it serves as a solemn call to prioritize safety measures for both humans and sharks alike.
Note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.