Shark Kills Surfer

(Maui, Hawaii) Yesterday, about 300 yards off Kahana Beach on Maui's western shore, surfer Willis McInnis, 57, was attacked by a shark and died.

In a somewhat related story, on Sunday, 22-year-old blond-haired, green-eyed, Courtney Marcher told friends she was going surfing on Oahu's North Shore and disappeared.

Everything I've read tells me that shark attacks are rare occurrences. Not rare enough for my liking.

[Update 4/9/04] The life of Willis "Will" McInnis may have been saved if a tourniquet had been applied expeditiously according to a newspaper report. The shark attacked more than once and severed the femoral artery which caused McInnis to bleed to death.

There's updated information on the disappearance of Courtney Marcher. Her surfboard was found in good condition by two fishermen about three miles off Kaena Point, 18 miles from where she was last seen. Current speculation is that she ran into trouble while in the water and she is not a victim of foul play.