Kayaker bitten by shark twice while trying to release shark off Malibu, authorities say

MALIBU, Calif. (KABC) — A kayaker who caught a shark while fishing off the coast of Malibu was bitten twice and then hospitalized Sunday morning, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The incident was reported at 8:32 a.m. as a bite or sting in the 28200 block of West Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, according to fire officials.

The department initially called it a shark attack, but later said it was a fishing accident.

Officials said the kayaker was fishing about a half-mile offshore near Paradise Cove when he caught the shark. While trying to free him, the shark bit him and knocked him out of the kayak.

That’s when the shark bit him a second time, firefighters said.

The victim was transported to a local hospital, authorities said. Their condition was not immediately known.

The beach remained open. No additional information was immediately available.