Deadly shark attack at Sand Dollar Beach in Santa Cruz County
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION)
UPDATE 5/14/2020 11 p.m. The California Department of Parks and Recreation reports that the shark that killed a surfer near a Santa Cruz County beach last weekend was a Great White shark.
The department said it came to the conclusion by studying DNA on Ben Kelly's wetsuit and surfboard.
UPDATE 5/13/20: The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office has released the official cause of death for Ben Kelly.
They say it was a shark bite to the right knee with disruption of the popliteal artery and vein. The manner was an accident.
UPDATE 5/9/20 10:40 p.m. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office identified the victim of the deadly shark attack as Ben Kelly.
UPDATE 5:31 p.m.: California State Parks is reporting a 26-year-old man was killed in the shark attack. He was surfing just before the incident.
The shark's species is unknown.
The water one mile south and north of the incident will be closed until Thursday, May 14, 2020.
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Authorities are asking people to stay away from Sand Dollar Beach in Santa Cruz County after a shark attack there.
A sign posted by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office indicates the shark attack happened Saturday. State Parks is responding to the attack.
They are discouraging water sports and activities within the area.
The beach is located near La Selva Beach and Manresa State Beach.
We have a reporter headed to the scene and will update this article with more information when we receive it.
This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.
