AMITY- A third victim was attacked by a shark during this past Fourth of July holiday. The victim is James Parks, 30, of Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts.
Parks was on his boat in a pond connected to the main beach when the shark attacked. Another sailboat full of three young boys, including Chief of Police Martin P. Brody’s son, were also knocked off into the water. The three boys got out safely, but Michael Brody was in shock and taken to the hospital.
The police department has ordered that all beaches remain closed until further notice. Residents are urged to take extreme caution and report any incidents to the police or Coast Guard.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
July 4 Celebrations Come to an End
AMITY- The beaches re-opened for the holiday after local fishermen caught a 16-foot shark believed to be responsible for two previous deaths.
With the tragic deaths of 16-year-old Wendy Watson and 10-year-old Alex Ferguson this past week, the town has been on edge about a vicious predator in the waters.
The fishermen responsible for the capture of the shark wish to remain unnamed, but they will be receiving the $3,000 reward. Matt Hooper a marine biologist from the Woods Hold Oceanographic Institute was brought in to accurately identify the predator as a nurse shark.
"I am pleased to say we have caught a large predator,” said Mayor Bob Farley at an interview at the beach.
Amity was once again brought alive by tourists and locals flooding to the famed beaches. The atmosphere was peaceful as boat loads of families filed on to the island.
The beach was covered with families, yet there was no one swimming in the water. With encouragement from Mayor Farley a family of four ventured into the waters. Following shortly after everyone from kids to adults piled in.
While the turnout pleased Mayor Farley, Chief of Police Martin P. Brody was still cautious about the waters.
Chief Brody announced in a press release that armed shark spotters will continue to patrol the waters off the beach. Hooper will be out on one of the boats along with coast guard and policemen. If there are any shark sightings the necessary precautions will be taken.
The boats and a circling helicopter kept a close watch on the waters as people swam around.
Everything seemed to be under control until a “fin” was spotted in the water. Panic ensued the lifeguards blew their whistles, and people were racing to get out of the water.
Young children and the elderly were trampled over as panicked vacationers piled back on to the safe beaches.
The gunmen in the boats quickly drove to the sighting, while Chief Brody tried to calm the panic.
It was discovered that the “fin” was a prank pulled off by two young boys swimming deep out in the waters.
The two young boys are Timmy Twamble and Johnny Faker of Worcester, Massachusetts. Police also reported that their parents made the fins and videotaped the prank. No charges have been filed yet.
Even with this discovery the damage was done. The July 4 celebrations quickly came to an end at Amity.
With the tragic deaths of 16-year-old Wendy Watson and 10-year-old Alex Ferguson this past week, the town has been on edge about a vicious predator in the waters.
The fishermen responsible for the capture of the shark wish to remain unnamed, but they will be receiving the $3,000 reward. Matt Hooper a marine biologist from the Woods Hold Oceanographic Institute was brought in to accurately identify the predator as a nurse shark.
"I am pleased to say we have caught a large predator,” said Mayor Bob Farley at an interview at the beach.
Amity was once again brought alive by tourists and locals flooding to the famed beaches. The atmosphere was peaceful as boat loads of families filed on to the island.
The beach was covered with families, yet there was no one swimming in the water. With encouragement from Mayor Farley a family of four ventured into the waters. Following shortly after everyone from kids to adults piled in.
While the turnout pleased Mayor Farley, Chief of Police Martin P. Brody was still cautious about the waters.
Chief Brody announced in a press release that armed shark spotters will continue to patrol the waters off the beach. Hooper will be out on one of the boats along with coast guard and policemen. If there are any shark sightings the necessary precautions will be taken.
The boats and a circling helicopter kept a close watch on the waters as people swam around.
Everything seemed to be under control until a “fin” was spotted in the water. Panic ensued the lifeguards blew their whistles, and people were racing to get out of the water.
Young children and the elderly were trampled over as panicked vacationers piled back on to the safe beaches.
The gunmen in the boats quickly drove to the sighting, while Chief Brody tried to calm the panic.
It was discovered that the “fin” was a prank pulled off by two young boys swimming deep out in the waters.
The two young boys are Timmy Twamble and Johnny Faker of Worcester, Massachusetts. Police also reported that their parents made the fins and videotaped the prank. No charges have been filed yet.
Even with this discovery the damage was done. The July 4 celebrations quickly came to an end at Amity.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Amity Beaches Closed
AMITY, MA- A press conference was held today at Town Hall with Amity Mayor Bob Farley, Chief of Police Martin P. Brody, and the Amity Board of Selectmen to discuss the future of Amity’s beaches on July 3.
“We are going to put on extra summer deputies and shark spotters,” said Brody. “Yes we are going to close the beaches.”
This decision came after a possible shark attack that killed 10-year-old Alex Ferguson of Amity at Village Beach earlier in the day.
Ferguson’s body has not been recovered, but his damaged raft floated on shore. This attack follows the possible shark attack of a young teenage girl the previous day.
Citizens of the town piled into the room to hear what Brody and Mayor Farley had to say about the incidences.
Brody announced that they plan on closing the beaches and bringing in a specialist to determine what is really happening with the attacks. Mayor Farley quickly told the unsettled crowd that they will only close the beaches for 24 hours.
“Twenty-four hours is like three weeks,” said an angry citizen.
While the investigation into the exact cause of death has not been verified as a shark, Brody wants to take every precaution to keep the town safe.
“Now we know that these random acts of senseless violence, victimizing innocent, helpless citizens, do not just happen in the city,” said Brody.
As the meeting was coming to a close fishermen and citizen of Amity Ben Quint offered to catch the shark.
Marian Ferguson, mother of Alex Ferguson, had offered up a bounty of $3,000 to whoever catches the shark. Quint offered to do it but for $10,000.
Quint reiterated the fear of loss of money by closing down the beaches when he warned everyone that they would be on welfare all winter if they do not catch the
shark.
Brody told the town that the investigation is still ongoing at this time.
“We are going to put on extra summer deputies and shark spotters,” said Brody. “Yes we are going to close the beaches.”
This decision came after a possible shark attack that killed 10-year-old Alex Ferguson of Amity at Village Beach earlier in the day.
Ferguson’s body has not been recovered, but his damaged raft floated on shore. This attack follows the possible shark attack of a young teenage girl the previous day.
Citizens of the town piled into the room to hear what Brody and Mayor Farley had to say about the incidences.
Brody announced that they plan on closing the beaches and bringing in a specialist to determine what is really happening with the attacks. Mayor Farley quickly told the unsettled crowd that they will only close the beaches for 24 hours.
“Twenty-four hours is like three weeks,” said an angry citizen.
While the investigation into the exact cause of death has not been verified as a shark, Brody wants to take every precaution to keep the town safe.
“Now we know that these random acts of senseless violence, victimizing innocent, helpless citizens, do not just happen in the city,” said Brody.
As the meeting was coming to a close fishermen and citizen of Amity Ben Quint offered to catch the shark.
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Marian Ferguson, mother of Alex Ferguson, had offered up a bounty of $3,000 to whoever catches the shark. Quint offered to do it but for $10,000.
Quint reiterated the fear of loss of money by closing down the beaches when he warned everyone that they would be on welfare all winter if they do not catch the
shark.
Brody told the town that the investigation is still ongoing at this time.
Missing Girl's Body Discovered on Beach
AMITY, MA- The Amity Police Department discovered the body of a missing teenage girl on South Beach on July 1.
The girl is 16-year-old Wendy W. Watson of Amity. She was last seen alive leaving a beach party with an unidentified male at 11 p.m.
Witnesses at the party say that the two had been drinking. Her male companion told police that Watson decided to go skinny-dipping in the water. When she did not come out he phoned the police at 3 a.m.
A brief search took place early this morning, when a deputy found Watson’s mangled body on the beach.
The cause of death is still unknown, and Watson’s body has been sent to the coroner’s office for an autopsy. No charges have been filed in the case at this point.
“Though a shark attack has not been completely ruled out,” said Chief of Police Martin P. Brody. “We want to assure all residents and visitors on our fine island that they are in no danger.”
Brody has confirmed that beaches in the area will stay open until further notice.
The girl is 16-year-old Wendy W. Watson of Amity. She was last seen alive leaving a beach party with an unidentified male at 11 p.m.
Witnesses at the party say that the two had been drinking. Her male companion told police that Watson decided to go skinny-dipping in the water. When she did not come out he phoned the police at 3 a.m.
A brief search took place early this morning, when a deputy found Watson’s mangled body on the beach.
The cause of death is still unknown, and Watson’s body has been sent to the coroner’s office for an autopsy. No charges have been filed in the case at this point.
“Though a shark attack has not been completely ruled out,” said Chief of Police Martin P. Brody. “We want to assure all residents and visitors on our fine island that they are in no danger.”
Brody has confirmed that beaches in the area will stay open until further notice.
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