Surfer dies after shark attack off California coast

Santa Barbara, CA, United States (4E) – A 39-year-old surfer has died Tuesday morning after being bitten by a shark off the California coast at Surf Beach in Santa Barbara County.

According to the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office, Francisco Javier Solorio Jr. from Orcutt was riding waves with three friends when the shark attacked.

One of the friends who witnessed the incident swam to his side, helped pull him out of the water and started first aid while another called for assistance.

Sgt. Mark Williams reported that the Solorio was pronounced dead at the scene by medical responders. He was bitten in the upper torso.

The fire department of the Vandenberg Air Force Base, which is located on Surf Beach, responded to the emergency call.

Solorio was not affiliated with the military base.

Officials said that they also found bite marks on the surf board.

Police are still investigating the type of shark involved in the attack.

Surf Beach, despite being a part of the base, remains accessible to the public.

Officials at Vandenberg declared the beach close duntil further notice following Tuesday morning’s incident.

Almost two years ago, on October 22, 2010, a shark described as 14 to 20 feet, bit off the left leg and killed 19-year-old college student Lucas McKaine Ransom of Romoland, California, while he was Boogie Boarding off the same beach at Vandenberg.

According to the International Shark Attack File, there are 75 recorded unprovoked attacks worldwide, while twelve people died as a direct result of their injuries.

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