Suspected shark attack

A WOMAN has been killed in an apparent shark attack as she swam near a pier on the Californian coast.

Eyewitness accounts and the nature of her injuries were all consistent with a shark attack, US Department of Fish and Game spokeswoman Chamois Andersen said.

Witnesses on Avila Beach said one bite on the woman’s body was a foot wide.

The woman, believed to be in her 50s, was swimming about 75 yards out when she was attacked, Andersen said.

“Her friend on the beach noticed she was swimming with some seals,” she said. “All of a sudden, the seals dispersed rapidly and a large breach of water, this large upwelling of water, occurred in the vicinity. Very indicative of a shark attack.”