A shark ripped the arm off a Minnesota woman in the U.S. Virgin Islands on Thursday before she died a short time later from those horrific wounds, officials said.
St. Croix first responders were called at about 4:28 p.m. AST with reports of “a female who was suspected to be bitten by a shark at Dorsch Beach,” according to a Virgin Islands Police Department statement.
Firefighters “confirmed that the female lost an arm during the attack” and she “later succumbed to her injures,” police said.
The victim was identified as 56-year-old Arlene Lillis of Lake Detroit, in northwest Minnesota near the border of North Dakota.
“Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of the victim, and with everyone who witnessed this tragedy,” U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said in a statement.
“We have been briefed on the information known at this time, and we are grateful to the bystanders who acted immediately to render aid and to the first responders who worked urgently and bravely in an effort to save her life.”
Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach also thanks onlookers who tried to help Lillis.
“On behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands, I extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and all who are grieving this loss,” Roach said. “In moments like this, we are reminded how quickly life can change. We thank the individuals on the scene who stepped forward to help, and we commend our first responders for their swift action and professionalism under extremely difficult circumstances.”
