By SACKASOMETHING Daily Planet Slave
SM BEACH — Three surfers were attacked on Thursday by an unknown ocean species just off the coast of a local surfing spot known as “P Block,” leaving two local men hospitalized and local officials up in arms.
The mysterious maneater, now believed trapped in a network of buoy cages between the Santa Monica Pier and Ocean Park Boulevard is proving to be an enigma to the team of oceanographers flown in from across the country to identify the species. One theory floated has been that the unusual species may have been spawned from the tsunami that befell southern Asia late last year.
All Santa Monica beaches have been closed indefinitely.
“It really couldn’t come at a worse time,” said Scott Scheider, a Santa Monica lifeguard. “With the Santa Ana winds moving in, the beaches were gonna be stacked.”
Meanwhile, the Santa Monica Harbor Patrol is working alongside the Coast Guard and crack nautical types to put a name with the species’ face. Observers have concluded the carnivore is sick, however, due to discoloration, persistent vomiting and a developing sinus infection that might be attributed to urban runoff in the bay.
The attack occurred during Dawn Patrol in Ocean Park. Just as the case on Wednesday when two great white sharks were spotted in the line up in San Onofre, just north of San Diego, the Santa Monica maneater was first seen swimming along a crest about 200 feet from shore here.
“We should be so lucky as San Onofre,” remarked William Brody, spokesman for Heal the Bay. “At least with a shark, you know what you’re with. With this... this... I don’t even know what to call this thing.”
About 50 surfers rode the wave to shore, or paddled in, once word spread in the water that a series of attacks had occurred. But, unfortunately, two novices didn’t make it out in time.
“I swore I would never go in the ocean because it freaks me out what’s underneath,” said Paula Whittingham, who just moved here from Fort Lauderdale, another coastal city dealing with a shark problem. “So the first time I’m in the Pacific Ocean, I get chased by a fish with ill-intent. It’s bogus.”
While Whittingham managed to get out of the water unscathed, her boyfriend, Jim Connor, was rushed to a local hospital, where’s he being treated for leg, torso and arm injuries. Doctors will have to re-attach his limbs, which Whittingham bravely dove back into the water to retrieve.
“It will be at least an 18-hour surgery and we’ve got our best team in place,” said UCLA head surgeon Connie Stitcher. “We are confident Jim will be able to surf again.”
Doctors aren’t as confident in repairing Connor’s gaping hole in his side, which extends several inches wide and several inches deep.
“It’s a side issue that we’re not sure we can deal with,” said Stitcher. “Only a fool would think they can fix it.”
A third victim, Mikaal Shrevned, was pulled to safety by his two companions, with whom he was visiting Santa Monica from Belgium. Shrevned sustained multiple bites to his shapely, athletic legs before being tugged into shore.
“Mikaal has been a chum of ours for a long time,” said Greta Hornschart. Her friend, Lily Vilander, could only smile in agreement. “Some chum,” she added.
Baywatch lifeguards were getting coffee when the attack occurred, which has prompted high ranking captains and sergeants within the Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbors Department to investigate.
“We had a suspicion that their work ethic left something to be desired, but we didn’t think anything bad would come of it,” said Lifeguard Capt. Mitch Bucannon.
“We’re laid back, but when it comes to safety, it should come before coffee.”
The beach has been closed to the public and police are keeping people away.
Despite the attack in area waters, everything is fine, according to city officials.
“I don’t know much about that but I can tell you everything is peachy in this city by the sea,” said City Hall public information officer Trudy Ramblinon.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 1, 2005. Read the original PDF.