Point Reyes: Search underway for missing swimmer following reports of shark attack off of Wildcat Beach

The U.S. Coast Guard received reports about the attack at 10:40 a.m.

POINT REYES — A search is underway after the U.S Coast Guard received reports Sunday morning that an individual was attacked by a shark and pulled under the water.

A Coast Guard spokesperson told the Mercury News that they received calls about an alleged attack off of Wildcat Beach around 10:40 a.m. The Marin County Sheriff’s Office, Marin County Fire Department and the National Park Service have been engaged in a search and rescue mission since then.

At 4:06 p.m., the Point Reyes National Seashore account posted on social media that they were still searching for the individual.

The search continues for a missing person last seen in the water at Wildcat Beach this morning. On scene are personnel from NPS, Marin County/ Stinson Beach Fire, engines and UTVs, Reach 3 medical helicopter and a US Coast Guard helicopter and Cutter.

— Point Reyes NPS (@PointReyesNPS) October 1, 2023

There have been 210 shark attacks and incidents — 15 of them resulting in fatalities — off the California coast since 1950, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The last reported shark encounter occurred at Bean Hollow State Beach in San Mateo County on Aug. 22. The individual was kayaking and was not injured.