Long Island swimmer most likely bitten by shark at popular beach: authorities

A 20-year-old woman was “most likely” bit by a juvenile shark at a popular Long Island beach while trying to beat the blistering heat this week, park officials revealed on Friday.The swimmer was wading in waist deep water at the Central Mall beachfront at Jones Beach State Park on Wednesday when something chomped on her foot and leg just after 4 p.m., according to a release from Parks, Recreation and Historic preservation.The woman couldn’t see what attacked her, but parks officials determined it was most likely a juvenile sand tiger shark, according to an investigation from the Department of Environmental Conservation.Lifeguards sprung into action and treated the woman who suffered minor, non-life-threatening lacerations to her lower extremity and was treated at Nassau County University Medical Center Hospital.Swimming was shut down at Central Mall following the presumptive shark bite, but resumed Thursday morning.Park officials suggest the best way to avoid shark encounters is to keep out of the water at night, steer clear of murky water, stay away from appetizing schools of fish, and always follow instructions of lifeguards.The toothsome aquatic terrors have been spotted several times as folks make their seasonal return to Atlantic Coast beaches.An 11-foot-long, 761-pound, great white shark named “Dold’ popped a fin off the coast of New Jersey earlier this week, according to Ocearch.On Memorial Day over on Block Island, Rhode Island, what was reported to be a 20-foot shark trailed a tiny boat in a pond in full view of diners chowing down at a local eatery.These sightings come as the classic Steven Spielberg shark thriller “Jaws” celebrates the 50th anniversary of its release....