2 teenagers mauled in shark attacks at North Carolina beach

OAK ISLAND, N.C. -- After two young people lost limbs in separate shark attacks in coastal North Carolina this weekend, the beaches were open Monday and the mayor said she didn't think emergency workers had enough time between incidents to close the beaches.

A 12-year-old girl was attacked just after 4 p.m. Sunday in Oak Island, and a 16-year-old boy was attacked less than two hours later about two miles away.

New Hanover Regional Medical Center pediatric specialists upgraded to good the condition of a young shark attack victim to good Monday morning. The victims were brought to New Hanover Regional Medical Center after separate shark attacks Sunday. The 16-year-old male, was in critical condition when he arrived and is now fair.

The left arm of the boy, who is from Colorado Springs, was severed just below his shoulder. She was visiting with family.

The mother of the boy issued a statement through the hospital. "I would like to thank everyone who has cared for my son, from the people who saved him through their quick actions on the beach, to the transport crew, emergency department team, doctors and staff here at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. I appreciate all their efforts."

Eyewitness Randy Milligan said the boy's arm was severed. "He looked like he was waving at his friends. Then the shark just came out of the water and like you snap your fingers - bit his whole arm off."

He said the shark was big and thick, taking the arm about 4 inches below the shoulder completely in its mouth.

Oak Island Mayor Betty Wallace told The Associated Press on Monday that she didn't think there was enough time to close the beach between attacks. Beaches were closed after the second attack.

"Our local police ATVs and the sheriff's boat and helicopter patrolled immediately after the second one, getting everyone out of the water," Wallace said in an email.

Wallace said that even if the beach had closed after the first attack, the order might not have reached the area of the second incident.

"I don't know if it would have extended between the two (locations)," she wrote.

Oak Island Town Manager Tim Holloman unconfirmed Monday that there was another sighting Monday, near 35th Street. It is still unclear if the attacks were connected. "It's very unusual - unconfirmed, but I think last attack we had was in the 70s," he said.

The girl lost part of her arm and suffered a leg injury, and the boy lost his left arm, officials said. Their names hadn't been released as of Monday morning.

On Monday, the beaches were open, with officials encouraging people to stay only in shallow water, Holloman said.

Wallace said, "When something like this happens, everyone is on edge, but this is the first time in memory we've had an occurrence of this sort."

Fire Chief Christopher Anselmo told NBC's "Today" show that Sunday's attacks were his first such experience in 16 years with the department.

"We can't guarantee anything - these are ocean waters," Anselmo said. "There's a lot of fish and sharks that are in the ocean. There's nothing we can do to control that. We can only education people to be careful in the water."

Brunswick County planned to have a boat and a helicopter patrolling the water, Holloway said.

"Oak Island is still a safe place," Holloman said. "We're monitoring the situation. This is highly unusual."