New York financier dies after shark attack during diving trip off coast of Costa Rica
A NEW York financier has been killed in a shark attack while scuba diving off the coast of Costa Rica, the country’s environment ministry announced.
Rohina Bhandari, 49, a senior director at WL Ross & Co, was identified by friends as the American tourist who was fatally attacked on Thursday.
She was dragged from the Pacific Ocean after sustaining severe bites to her legs but could not be saved. Her 26 year-old diving instructor was also badly injured.
The male instructor, who was conscious and in relatively stable condition, told officials that the shark attacked when his group was surfacing at the end of the dive in pristine waters close to Cocos Island, about 300 miles from the country’s mainland.
According to the Costa Rican newspaper La Nación, the guide noticed the shark approaching his group underwater and tried to scare it away.
But as they surfaced, the shark went for Miss Bhandari, tearing at her legs.
Tiger sharks, which have dark stripes on their body when young, are predators often found around Pacific islands. Unlike many other species, they can be aggressive and account for a large proportion of reported attacks on humans.
Authorities said two park rangers and several doctors who were part of the diving group of 18 people on the island trip organised by Undersea Hunter Group, gave first aid.
The group regularly organises tours to the national park, reportedly known for its abundance of sharks. Alan Steenstrup, the tour company’s sales manager, said staff were “in shock” because of the incident and added they were now focusing on working with the victim’s family and the authorities.