Great White Shark Attack Prompts Beach Closures in Santa Barbara County

A view of the coast north of Vandenberg Air Force Base. Three nearby beaches have been closed until Sunday afternoon after a non-fatal shark attack on the night of Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014. (Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

by: Los Angeles Times, Kacey Montoya

Posted: Oct 3, 2014 / 02:18 PM PDT

Updated: Oct 3, 2014 / 11:08 PM PDT

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Vandenberg Air Force officials have closed three beaches after a surfer was attacked by a great white shark Thursday evening.

The surfer suffered non-life threatening injuries to his knee, as well as cuts to other parts of his body, in the attack, which occurred about 5:30 p.m. a quarter-mile north of Wall Beach (map), officials said.

Ralph Collier, president of the Shark Research Institute, said the shark was 8 to 10 feet long.

The confirmed attack prompted Vandenberg Air Force Base to close Surf, Wall and Minuteman beaches for 72 hours. The order will be lifted at 4 p.m. Sunday, according to a statement from the base, which is north of Lompoc in Santa Barbara County.

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