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Entry 563Filed under Breeding

Four Texas Beachgoers Were Injured in Shark Encounters on July 4, 2024—Only Two Were Bitten

Four people were injured in shark-related encounters at South Padre Island on July 4, 2024, but TPWD said only two were bitten. Later reports described the other two as one person grazed and another injured while fending off the shark.
3-minute read By Animalso Team
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Four people were injured in shark-related encounters at South Padre Island, Texas, on July 4, 2024, but only two were bitten. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) said the other two encountered the shark without serious injury; later reporting described one as grazed and the other as hurt while fending off the shark.

That distinction explains why early accounts sometimes used “four people bitten” or “four attacks,” while the official count was two bites. Reports that the same shark was involved were attributed to a game warden captain and were not a conclusive identification.

What happened at South Padre Island?

On July 4, 2024, Texas Game Wardens, the Texas Department of Public Safety, South Padre Island Police Department, and Cameron County Park Rangers responded to reports of people bitten by a shark within South Padre Island city limits. TPWD’s same-day statement said two people were bitten and two others encountered the shark but were not seriously injured.

TPWD said the two bite victims were taken to Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville. One was being treated there, and the other had been flown elsewhere for further treatment. The department said no further details were known at the time.

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ABC News, citing Texas Game Warden Captain Chris Dowdy through local affiliate KRGV, reported four separate incidents, including two bites. It described an initial severe-bite call near the 4100 block of Gulf Boulevard at around 11 a.m. local time.

How were four people injured if only two were bitten?

“Injured” includes people hurt during a shark-related encounter even if they did not sustain a bite. The official same-day count and later reported descriptions are:

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Account What it said
TPWD, July 4, 2024 Two people were bitten; two others encountered the shark but were not seriously injured.
Later reporting citing Captain Chris Dowdy Four separate incidents included two bites; one person was grazed and another was injured while fending off the shark.

The later descriptions add detail to the preliminary official count; they do not change the number of people TPWD said were bitten.

What was reported about the injured people?

KRGV’s July 5 follow-up, citing Captain Dowdy, reported that a 35-year-old man from La Vernia was stable after surgery, a 47-year-old woman from Celina was stable after surgery, and a 49-year-old man from Celina had been treated and discharged. KRGV said a fourth person had minor injuries and was treated at the scene. These are condition updates reported on July 5, 2024, not current medical updates.

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The initial TPWD statement did not provide those personal details. For the official same-day count, see TPWD’s July 4 statement; for the later descriptions, see ABC News’ July 4 report and KRGV’s July 5 follow-up.

Was it the same shark?

Captain Chris Dowdy was reported as saying officials believed the incidents involved the same shark. That was an attributed belief based on the information available at the time, not a conclusive identification. The sources in this account do not establish the shark’s species.

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What did officials advise beachgoers to do?

TPWD advised people to calmly exit the water if they see a shark and wait for the animal to pass. The department also said large schools of bait near shore can indicate that a predator is nearby. Follow local authorities’ instructions if a shark is reported in the area.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Were four people bitten at South Padre Island?

No. TPWD’s July 4, 2024 statement said two people were bitten. It said two others encountered the shark but were not seriously injured; later reporting described one as grazed and another as injured while fending off the shark.

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Why did some reports say four people were bitten?

Early reports used varying wording while details were still emerging. The official same-day count was two bites, with two additional people involved in shark encounters.

Did one shark cause all four incidents?

Officials were reported as believing the same shark was involved, but the available sources do not conclusively establish that one shark was responsible for all four incidents.

What should I do if I see a shark near shore?

TPWD advises calmly exiting the water and waiting for the shark to pass. Follow any instructions from local authorities.

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