California Man Dies in Great White Shark Attack

"We are all stunned and deeply saddened by this rare accident," said Joe Kellejian, Mayor of Solana Beach.

Andy Martin (left) and Dr. David Martin (right). Photo taken approximately 5 years ago. Source: (Martin Family)

(SOLANA BEACH, Calif.) - A 66-year old Solana Beach, California man, Dr. David Martin, was attacked by a shark while swimming with a group of 9 others Friday morning at 7:21 AM. The AP reports that the man was bitten across both thighs as the group swam north from Solana Beach.

It is reported that some of the other swimmers realized what was happening and looked back to see the man under attack come up out of the water after initially being pulled under.

They said he was flailing and screaming, but four members of the group of friends got Dr. martin to shore after the shark pulled him back underwater a second time.

A LifeFlight helicopter was called to the scene as life guards placed the man in a truck to be driven down to Fletcher Cove, where the helicopter waited.

However in spite of their efforts to save the man, he died before they were able to place him in the helicopter.

As a result of the attack, coastal cities along San Diego’s North and Central County remain on high alert for the weekend.

"Dr. Martin was a good man, an expert swimmer and one who knew these waters well. We wish his family well during this difficult time."

Longtime Solana Beach resident, since 1970, and triathlete, Dr. David Martin succumbed to injuries brought about by the shark bite and was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:49 AM.

His injuries were reported to be several deep wounds to the legs. Dr. Martin was a retired veterinarian and expert swimmer who has been training with the Triathlon Club of San Diego (TCSD) out of Solana Beach for the past three years. There were nine swimmers in training, and Dr. Martin was in the middle of the group.

TCSD, comprised of expert swimmers, has been training on the same four mile route for the past four years. They usually swim in groups at approximately 150 yards off shore, using a buddy system whereby if a swimmer needed to go back to shore for safety, another swimmer would accompany them. TCSD have never experienced a shark attack.

Sheriff's helicopters will scan the beaches to track any possible shark activity until 6:00 PM this evening. Coastal cities along San Diego’s North and Central County will remain on high alert for the weekend from south Carlsbad State Beach to Torrey Pines State Beach. The beaches in Solana Beach are closed and will be patrolled throughout the weekend and are expected to reopen on Monday morning.

"Even though these instances are a rare occurrence, we should remember that the coastline is a marine environment and it is a shark’s natural habitat," said David Ott, Solana Beach city manager and public safety director.

"We want people to remain calm and have respect for nature." The public is advised to follow all signage and verbal instructions from both lifeguard and Sheriff’s Deputies. Warning signs will be posted for approximately 8 miles along the beachfront between Carlsbad and La Jolla.

According to Dr. Richard Rosenblatt of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, "the wounds and the attack is most likely the behavior of a great white shark. It is difficult to say exactly how big the shark was, but we can estimate by the look and size of the wounds, that the animal was an adult shark approximately, twelve to sixteen feet long."

Experts agree that the likelihood of finding this particular shark are slim as they travel for long distances, however Sheriff’s Helicopters are patrolling the shoreline to track and not capture the animal.

"I believe that the shark most likely mistook the group of swimmers as a pod of seals," said Rosenblatt. Lifeguards had reported stranded female sea lion at around 4:00 AM this morning, "however it is unknown whether this has any relationship to the shark attack."

"Great White shark attacks are characterized by a sudden powerful rush of water, as the animal rises up from a significant depth to attack the victim from below. We can only assume that this was the case of mistaken identity on behalf of the shark."

"Shark attacks are extremely rare in Southern California but there is a migration of the animals from San Francisco to the Guadalupe Islands where the females come to give birth."