Shark attacks teen kayaker near Parson's Landing at Catalina Island

A teen from Riverside suffered a shark bite while kayaking at Catalina Island.

Around 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, LA County Lifeguard Paramedics responded to an emergency medical call at Parson’s Landing on Catalina Island. 

Responding emergency crews said15-year-old Edward Cahill sustained an injury to his hand. 

According to lifeguards with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Cahill and his father were kayaking when their boat was bumped by a shark. Cahill put his hand in the water and was bit by the shark. 

The teen was transported to a local hospital and underwent surgery. Cahill is part of a Boy Scouts camp and was participating in a youth camp activity at the time of the attack.

The Boy Scouts of America released the following statement, "Our camp staff quickly removed all participants from the water following this incident, and we have canceled all water activities as we work with Los Angeles County Fire Department. Safety is integral to everything we do, and we place great importance on prevention and preparedness to create the most secure environment possible for our participants. We provide a chase boat, which goes out before every water activity that takes place outside of Emerald Bay to identify potential weather and wildlife hazards and follows each group of participants back to shore. No hazards were spotted this morning."

The type and size of the shark is not known. 

Lifeguard Rescue Boat Crews have since cleared and closed the beach area, one mile in each direction of the incident site. Catalina Island Company has closed its two Harbors ocean rentals for 24 hours while the situation is being monitored.

Lifeguards also requested the assistance of a shark expert from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography to identify the size and type of the shark.

Kayakers, divers and swimmers who frequent the area say they have seen a large juvenile white shark in the area lately. 

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Less than a week ago, a great white shark bit a man while swimming off the coast of Half Moon Bay.

Shark attacks are rare, but not unheard of. In May 2020, a man died after he was bitten by a great white shark in Santa Cruz.