NAALEHU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hawaii Island Police said Wednesday that a group of divers was attempting to rescue a blacktip reef shark when it bit one of them, sending him to the hospital.

The attack occurred Tuesday at around 4:30 p.m. in Naalehu, according to officials.

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The shark began thrashing while divers were attempting to free it from rope and fishing gear off Ka’alu’alu Beach.

The shark then bit a 24-year-old man on his left thigh, said police.

Firefighters bandaged the man at the scene before he was airlifted out from Waiohinu Park.

Officials confirm the diver was in stable condition as he was flown to Kona Community Hospital for treatment.

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