A German tourist bitten by a shark while she was vacationing in Hawaii died Wednesday, a week after the attack, her family said.
Jana Lutteropp was remembered by her mother, Jutta Lutteropp, and sister, Julia Broeske, as "a very beautiful, strong young woman who was always laughing, and we will forever remember her that way."
"Jana fought hard to stay alive," her relatives said. "However, we are sad to say that she lost her fight today."
The woman, believed to be about 20 years old, was snorkeling about 50 yards off the Hawaiian island of Maui when a shark severed her right arm around 4:40 p.m. on August 14, authorities said. "The water was choppy with limited visibility" at the time, the county of Maui noted on its Facebook page.
Two male friends, who were nearby in the water, and a kayaker carried Lutteropp out of the water.
First responders found her unconscious and took her to Maui Medical Center, said Lee Mainaga of the Maui Fire Department said. She was initially listed in critical condition.
The incident spurred authorities to shut down beaches one mile on each side of where the attack happened. By noon the next day, Thursday, the beach reopened, according to the county.
Lutteropp had traveled to Hawaii after finishing her year as an au pair, according to Cultural Care Au Pair, the agency she'd worked with.
The agency said Wednesday, on its Facebook page, that Lutteropp died "surrounded by her family."
"Please join us in keeping them in your thoughts and prayers," Cultural Care said.
This shark attack is the fourth in Maui this year, with two happening on the same day in February, and the other in late July.
Four days after the Maui incident, in Pohoiki Bay on what's known as the Big Island, a gray shark bit a 16-year-old across both legs as he was surfing, CNN affiliate KHON reported.
While shark attacks have been on the uptick in recent years, according to the University of Florida, the fatality rate in the United States is just 2%.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
Abdallah Ali-Nakyea elevated to Associate Professor at UG School of Law
19 minutes -
Kick2build commissions 5 libraries in Klo Agogo, donates school supplies
26 minutes -
Slim and Fit Ghana donates to kids at Motherly Love Orphanage in Kwabenya
39 minutes -
We’ll be reorganising ourselves for the battles of tomorrow – NPP
43 minutes -
Ghanaian teacher Morkporkpor Fiador’s GWR Read-A-Thon attempt postponed
51 minutes -
Revocation of licences of UT, Capital banks were strict requirements from IMF – Dr. Addison
52 minutes -
MP Cynthia Morrison among 280 members expelled by Agona West NPP
1 hour -
NPP to set up committee to investigate 2024 election defeat – Stephen Ntim
1 hour -
New Juaben North NDC executives intercept 24k bags of fertiliser at Koforidua
2 hours -
Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to murdering healthcare CEO
2 hours -
GhLA opens applications for 2nd Edition of Youth Advocacy Challenge
2 hours -
Remote Work in Africa; the Doballi solution
3 hours -
Stephen Ntim rallies NPP members after 2024 election loss
3 hours -
AratheJay ignites the night with mesmerising ‘Nimo Live’ debut concert
3 hours -
Diplomatic Corps in Ghana applaud Bawumia
3 hours