Jaws: Several New York shark attacks reported in 2 days, more than 50 sharks spotted

Several people have been attacked by sharks while swimming on popular beaches in New York in the span of two days over the holiday weekend. 

On Tuesday, sharks attacked three swimmers off two beaches 60 miles (95 kilometers) apart in Long Island.

Just before 2 p.m., a 47-year-old man was swimming chest-deep in the water at Quogue Village Beach in the Hamptons when he was bitten on his right knee. Quogue officials warned swimmers to stay out of the water for the time being. 

The second attack happened to a 49-year-old man that was bitten on his right hand by a shark near Fire Island Pines Beach. He was transported to the hospital to be treated. 

A few hours later, a 50-year-old woman was bitten at Sailors Haven beach on Fire Island. She was taken to a hospital for treatment of a minor injury.  

On Monday, two other individuals were bitten by sharks. At Fire Island, a 15-year-old boy that was surfing was bitten on one of his heels and his toes, according to Suffolk County Police. He was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

The same day, a 15-year-old girl was treated for an alleged shark bite to the leg near Robert Moses State Park. She was treated at the scene by paramedics. 

"She didn't see what bit her, the lifeguards didn't know what bit her, the drone operator checked the area, we didn't see," said Charles Gorman, New York State Parks Regional Director. "So we can't definitively say what bit her."

Also on Tuesday, drones spotted more than 50 sand sharks close to a popular beach, prompting officials to close the park temporarily. The beach eventually reopened, but officials warned swimmers to stay close to shore if they got into the water. 

"This morning, prior to lifeguards going on duty and our authorizing swimming, we had a complete drone patrol. And right here in front of Field 3, we saw a school of sharks. There were approximately 50 sand sharks there," Gorman said.

Last summer, eight swimmers were bitten by sharks off Long Island shores, raising concerns about future shark attacks in the area. State park officials have since increased patrols and deployed drones to scout the water and identify any possible dangers.