US tourist injured in Mexico shark attack

A US tourist is recovering after a shark attack off the coast of Mexico.

Alex Wilton, 32, was bitten last week while swimming at a beach in Troncones, Guerrero.

He was treated for a large gash to his leg and has now flown home.

Local mayor, Cresencio Reyes Torres, denied media reports the municipality tried to hush up news of the incident to protect local tourism.

Reyes said he doesn’t expect it to impact tourism.

Authorities will take extra measures to protect the beaches with lifeguards and warning signs, and may even erect shark nets offshore, he said.

Local fisherman say the cooler ocean currents at this time of year bring bull sharks closer to shore, increasing the chance of attacks.

During 2008, there were two deadly shark attacks in the area in the space of a few weeks, one of which killed an American surfer in Troncones.

source: Travel Mole