A shark bit a swimmer on a leg and a foot as he swam from Catalina Island to the mainland in the early hours of Tuesday, Sept. 30.

About 12 miles out from Catalina, the man was bit by a three- to four-foot white shark, who “nipped” at him and swam away, Shaun Corby, a Los Angeles Fire Department fire boat pilot said.

The swim is popular among long-distance swimmers, Corby said. A dive boat, the Bottom Scratcher, that was pacing the swim, left Catalina just after 1 a.m. and transferred the injured swimmer, a man approximately 50 to 55 years old, to a Los Angeles Fire Department boat.

The swimmer’s injuries were not life-threatening. His leg was wrapped and he was taken to a hospital.

“Its a super-rare incident,” Corby said. “Shark bites and stuff are pretty minimal out here.”

The Calif

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