A 24-year-old Holualoa man was bitten by a blacktip reef shark that he was trying to disentangle from rope and fishing gear Tuesday, according to Hawaii island police.

Officers responded to a call about the incident just before 4:30 p.m. at Kaalualu Beach. The man had been diving with two companions when he saw the entangled shark about 30 to 40 yards from shore, police said. As the group attempted to free the shark, it began thrashing and bit the man on his left thigh.

Hawaii Fire Department medics treated the victim at the scene. Police said he was flown by helicopter to Kona Community Hospital in stable condition.

“The Hawaii Police Department reminds the public not to attempt to free or handle entangled marine animals,” police said in a news release.

Police recommended learning wha

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