Sharks killed a man kiteboarding off South Florida's Atlantic coast in the state's first deadly shark attack in five years, authorities said.
Lifeguard Daniel Lund spotted Stephen Howard Schafer, 38, in distress Wednesday about 500 yards off the beach near Stuart. When he paddled out, he found Schafer bleeding and surrounded by several sharks.
Schafer was taken to a hospital and died a short time later, according to Rhonda Irons, public information officer for the Martin County Sheriff's Office.
Authorities are investigating what types of sharks may have been involved. One observer said he believed they were bull sharks.
Meanwhile, beaches remained open in the area Thursday.
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