Victim of Ocracoke shark attack expected to recover

Andrew Costello, the 68-year-old man attacked by a shark on Ocracoke Island Wednesday, will need several more surgeries but is expected to make a full recovery.

Costello thanked National Park Service lifeguards and medical personnel in a statement released late Thursday. He said he feels lucky to have survived the “frightening and painful” attack.

Eric Toschlog, one of Costello’s doctors at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, said a team of surgeons met Costello after he was airlifted off the beach. A shark bite on his thigh was “major, but non-lethal” and he is in good condition as of Thursday, Toschlog said in a statement.

The shark, which was six to seven feet long, attacked Costello just after noon Wednesday while he swam with his adult son in the National Park Service day-use area on Ocracoke.

N.C. has seen seven shark attacks since June 11.

This story was originally published July 2, 2015 at 5:51 PM with the headline "Victim of Ocracoke shark attack expected to recover."