'I thought it was following me.' Lifeguard bitten by shark during training exercise in Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach village officials say a shark bit another Long Island lifeguard Thursday morning.

News 12 Staff

Jul 7, 2022, 8:55 PM

Updated 879 days ago

Share:

Ocean Beach village officials say a shark bit another Long Island lifeguard Thursday morning.
John Mullins was attacked around 11 a.m. during a lifeguard training exercise about 150 feet offshore in Ocean Beach on Fire Island.
The 17-year-old was bitten on the foot by a tiger sand shark.
"I didn't really feel the bite at first," Mullins says. "My adrenaline was rushing right away."
Mullins had been playing the role of a victim in the training exercise when he actually had to be rescued by other lifeguards.
"I was like 'Oh my God, I've got to go,' - it was crazy," Mullins says. "I thought it was following me, so I was freaking out..."
Mullins was rushed to South Shore University Hospital where he received multiple stitches.
Swimming was closed at Ocean Beach on Fire Island for around an hour due to the incident. They were only allowed in up to their waists after that.
It's the second time this week a lifeguard was bitten by a shark during a training exercise.
The other incident happened at Smith Point on Sunday.
Mullins is currently bandaged up and walking with a limp.
He is hoping to get back in the water in a few days, but hopes the shark stays far away.
"I'm looking forward to getting back," Mullins says. "I'll be back on Sunday - training for the test again. Just hoping not to get bit again."
It's not clear if unrestricted swimming will be allowed at Ocean Beach on Friday.