ST. CROIX — A 56-year-old Minnesota woman who was visiting the island died today after losing her arm during a suspected shark attack while snorkeling at Dorsch Beach, according to police and emergency officials.
Marine units as well as Fire and Emergency Medical Services were dispatched to the scene, according to a Virgin Islands Police Department press release. VIFEMS confirmed that the woman, identified by next of kin as Arlene Lillis, lost an arm during the attack. She later died from her injuries.
Christopher Carroll, a visitor to the island staying at Sand Castle on the Beach, said he rushed to help after hearing screams from his hotel room. Carroll, a nurse with prior lifeguard experience, swam out to assist.
“I saw there was a woman in distress in the water,” he said during a video interview The Virgin Islands Consortium posted on its Facebook page. “When I got to her, I saw a large amount of blood in the water. And then I realized that it was some kind of shark attack.”
Carroll said he grabbed Lillis and towed her back toward shore, where others helped pull her from the water. He said her left arm was gone from the elbow down, adding that her humerus bone that extends from the shoulder to elbow was the only part left.
“All the flesh was gone,” he said.
Carroll said the beachgoers elevated her legs and attempted to provide medical care until EMTs arrived, adding that the first responders showed up quickly, put the victim on a backboard, and rushed her away in an ambulance.
Witnesses said Lillis was snorkeling within the designated swim buoy area when the attack occurred. Initial reports suggested there may have been a second victim, prompting a search of the surrounding waters. St. Croix Rescue, assisted by wave runners loaned by West End Water Sports and a Coast Guard helicopter flyover, searched the area but found no additional victims. Scuba divers with St. Croix Rescue later recovered Lillis’ identification in the water.
First responders said Lillis’ husband was not at the beach at the time of the attack. Officers later located him, transported him to the hospital, and notified him of the incident. The couple traveled to St. Croix from Detroit Lakes, a small Minnesota city of less than 10,000 people between North Dakota and Minneapolis. They were frequent visitors to the island and were staying at a rented residence in Estate St. John.
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach, in a statement issued following the incident, expressed condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones, and commended the swift action by beachgoers and first responders.
“Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of the victim, and with everyone who witnessed this tragedy,” Bryan said in a statement. “We have been briefed on the information known at this time, and we are grateful to the bystanders who acted immediately to render aid and to the first responders who worked urgently and bravely in an effort to save her life.”
The lieutenant governor also expressed condolences and gratitude for those who responded.
“On behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands, I extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and all who are grieving this loss,” Roach stated. “In moments like this, we are reminded how quickly life can change. We thank the individuals on the scene who stepped forward to help, and we commend our first responders for their swift action and professionalism under extremely difficult circumstances.”
Senate Vice President Kenneth Gittens also expressed condolences following the incident.
“It is sad and shocking to hear of the apparent shark attack involving a female swimmer near the buoy at Dorsch Beach in Frederiksted,” he wrote in a text message to WTJX. “My heart goes out to her and her family, and I thank the courageous citizen(s) who assisted her to shore and the emergency first responders for their swift action. This incident underscores the urgent need to strengthen our hospitals and make rebuilding them a top priority this year.”
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to call 911 or the Criminal Investigation Bureau at 340-778-2211.
