Swimmer bitten on foot in suspected shark attack at Jones Beach, beach briefly closed

A swimmer at Jones Beach State Park's Field 6 was bitten on the foot in what officials described as a suspected shark attack on Friday. The New York City Parks Department said lifeguards responded promptly and the victim was taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Authorities suspended swimming while searching for sharks and other hazardous marine life. After an hour, no sharks were found and swimming resumed with a restriction allowing only waist-deep wading.

The incident follows multiple shark sightings reported the previous day at Rockaway Beach in Queens, which led to intermittent closures, and at Point Lookout on Long Island, where lifeguards ordered a temporary shutdown of the beach and nearby Hempstead beaches.

New York City Emergency Management issued warnings urging beachgoers to follow lifeguard guidance. While sharks are common in U.S. coastal waters, experts note that bites remain rare. Increased use of drones has helped authorities monitor shark activity more effectively.