MAULED TO DEATH
Bahamas shark attack victim identified as Pennsylvania college worker killed while snorkeling on cruise
AN American woman who was killed by a shark attack in the Bahamas has been identified as Pennsylvania college worker Caroline DiPlacido.
The 58-year-old was snorkeling with family in Nassau on Tuesday when she was mauled to death by a bull shark.
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Caroline lived in Millcreek Township and did work as a project coordinator at Gannon's Erie, Pennsylvania campus, the reported.
She was with her daughter, son and husband on vacation in the Bahamas when the horror attack happened.
Footage shared online showed medics trying to revive Caroline as she was brought to shore.
She was rushed to hospital where she died of her injuries.
The university released a lengthy in regards to their "devasting" loss.
Gannon's statement read in part: “Along with her efforts to further the mission of Erie-GAINS and Our West Bayfront, Caroline was a powerful presence of kindness and friendship to colleagues, students, and the wider community and cherished many family ties to Gannon...
"The news is devastating, and she will be missed. We pray for Caroline as she crosses over to eternity.
"Let us remember Caroline with affection and hope…"
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Caroline was a passenger on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Harmony of the Seas, which left Florida on September 4.
After the fatal mauling, she was pulled from the water by her relatives and a tour operator.
Her family suspect she was attacked by a bull shark, according to
Bull sharks are renowned for their aggression and marine experts say their cannibalistic instincts help them survive in the wild.
Male bull sharks can grow up to seven feet long, while females can exceed 11 feet.
Experts at the Florida Museum of Natural History have said the last recorded shark attack in the Bahamas dates back to 2018.
Bahamas police spokeswoman chief superintendent Chrislyn Skippings described the incident as “unfortunate”.
The woman's family had arrived in the Bahamas on Tuesday before a private boat company had taken them to Rose Island - an island near Nassau, and the area was closed to snorkelers following the attack.
The cruise line said: "Royal Caribbean is providing support and assistance to the guest's loved ones during this difficult time."
There have been a string of shark attacks reported in recent weeks.
A woman was mauled off the coast of Hawaii on September 3 who may have been snorkeling
Officials said the victim, 51, suffered a serious shark bite at Paia Bay.
The attack happened when the water was murky following heavy rain.
Cinthia Pacheco, a local, told “I think my first reaction was really just shocked and I just felt so bad for the person.
“We actually said a little prayer for her at the moment… it could’ve been one of us.”
Two swimmers were mauled off the coast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina within hours on August 15.
Karren Sites was on vacation when she said a shark had bitten her arm.
Sites was in waist-deep water with her grandson, who was just a couple of feet away, at the time of the bite.
Jameson Reeder Jr, 10, was forced to have part of his leg amputated after being bitten by a shark while on vacation in the Florida Keys.
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Caroline leaves behind a husband, three children, and her mother, in addition to many friends and extended family, according to the Post.
She graduated Gannon in 1986 and joined their tight-knit community as an employee 2009, the outlet said
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