A 56-year-old woman from Minnesota has died after a horrific shark attack while she was snorkelling during a holiday in the United States Virgin Islands.
A Fatal Encounter in Paradise
According to the Virgin Islands Police Department, the incident occurred on Thursday at Dorcsh Beach on the island of St. Croix. Arlene Lillis was in the water snorkelling when she was bitten by the shark. Marine units alongside Fire and Emergency Medical Services rushed to the scene.
First responders confirmed the devastating injuries sustained in the attack. Lillis lost her left arm during the assault and later succumbed to her wounds.
Heroic Efforts and a Community in Mourning
The tragedy unfolded in front of other beachgoers. Good Samaritan Christopher Carroll, a nurse, told The Virgin Islands Consortium he heard screaming and ran to help. "I had been a lifeguard when I was younger, so I swam out to try and help," he said. Upon reaching Lillis, he saw a large amount of blood in the water and realised it was a shark attack.
After helping bring her back to shore, Carroll saw the full extent of the "horrible traumatic wound." Despite efforts, her injuries proved fatal.
Lillis was a frequent visitor and property owner in St. Croix, which she considered a second home. Her husband, Rich Lillis, paid tribute on Facebook, describing her as a "sweet wife, mother and grandmother" who was "beautiful inside and out."
Friends and neighbours shared their grief. Andrew Gamble, a friend, said Lillis had owned a home on the island for a decade and loved snorkelling, calling her "one of the most genuine, kind, and warm people you could ever meet."
Official Response and Safety Warnings
At a press conference on Friday, Virgin Islands officials stated the attack is under investigation. Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach extended condolences and issued a stark reminder about snorkelling safety and respecting the ocean.
"We are surrounded by water, we do not control the sea, but we can be careful," Roach advised, urging the public to heed safety guidance from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
Nicole Angeli, Director of the Department's Division of Fish and Wildlife, said the rare and tragic event had "shaken our entire community." She noted that while shark encounters are common, bites are extremely rare, emphasising that the ocean remains a wild environment where caution is essential.
