After a 16-year-old reported that he was bitten by a shark on Monday, officials at Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware decided to delay Tuesday’s scheduled opening for swimmers.
According to The News Journal, the unidentified boy told park enforcement officials that he was standing in water about 5 feet deep went he felt something grab his arm.
The boy said that a shark had clamped down onto his left arm and he continued to fight it off until it finally released its bite and swam away.
WPVI reported that after lifeguards attended to the boy, authorities with the State Division of Parks and Recreation said the teenager was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. He was treated for cuts and gashes on his left forearm.
The frightening attack happened around 5:00 p.m.
Authorities have said that they do not know what type of shark bit the victim.
Marine biologists will be monitoring the waters closely before a decision on when to open the park is made.