Game Warden Capt. Chris Dowdy said that authorities believe a single shark about 6 feet long was responsible for all incidents.
Multiple shark attacks disrupted Fourth of July celebrations on Thursday in South Texas, where two people were taken to the hospital after being bitten by a shark.
In Texas, police received 911 calls at about 11 a.m. reporting a man had been severely bitten by a shark at South Padre Island. The man was treated at the scene before being transported to a hospital, according to officials.
Within a couple of hours, three more attacks were reported.
“Details at this time indicate that two people were bitten and two people encountered the shark but were not seriously injured,” the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department said in a statement on Thursday. “The two victims who were bitten were transported to Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville, where one is being treated, and the other has been flown out for further treatment.”
Witnesses posted videos and images of a shark swimming just off the shoreline. Some videos showed a woman being treated on the beach for what appeared to be a bite to her calf.
“Our hearts and prayers are with the injured and their families, and we hope for a speedy recovery,” said Patrick McNulty, mayor of South Padre Island.