First living person bitten by a cookiecutter shark
Mike Spalding, 61, was bitten on his left calf on March 16, 2009, as he was attempting to swim across Alenuihaha Channel from the Big Island to Maui (Hawaii). Spalding was about 11 miles into the crossing when the attack occurred. He was first bitten on the chest and then he was bitten on his calf. The 7.6 cm (3 in.) diameter, 2.5 cm (1 in.) deep wound was typical of a cookiecutter shark (Isistius brasiliensis).
