German Shark Bite Victim on Life Support

Palauea Beach, also known as White Rock in Mākena, 8/14/14. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Hospital officials say Jana Lutteropp, the 20-year-old German woman who had her arm severed in a shark attack incident at Maui’s Palauea Beach last week, is on life support.

“She is on full life support and she remains in very critical condition. The family requests that you give them their privacy during this very difficult time,” said Carol Clark, Director of Communications and Community Relations at Maui Memorial Medical Center.

The attack was reported at around 4:41 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2013, while the woman was snorkeling about 50 yards from shore. County officials say the conditions were choppy with limited visibility.

The incident comes on the heels of a separate incident in which a shark bite an unmanned board about a quarter mile offshore of Kaʻa Point near Kanahā Beach in Central Maui on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013. No one was injured in that incident.

And prior to that, a shark attack was reported on Wednesday July 31, 2013, in the Ulua Beach area of South Maui. During that incident, a California woman was treated and released from the hospital after suffering bite marks to her face and torso.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources has a list of tips for “Safety Dos and Don’ts” relating to water safety and sharks.