Audio By Carbonatix
A German tourist bitten by a shark while she was vacationing in Hawaii died Wednesday, a week after the attack, her family said.
Jana Lutteropp was remembered by her mother, Jutta Lutteropp, and sister, Julia Broeske, as "a very beautiful, strong young woman who was always laughing, and we will forever remember her that way."
"Jana fought hard to stay alive," her relatives said. "However, we are sad to say that she lost her fight today."
The woman, believed to be about 20 years old, was snorkeling about 50 yards off the Hawaiian island of Maui when a shark severed her right arm around 4:40 p.m. on August 14, authorities said. "The water was choppy with limited visibility" at the time, the county of Maui noted on its Facebook page.
Two male friends, who were nearby in the water, and a kayaker carried Lutteropp out of the water.
First responders found her unconscious and took her to Maui Medical Center, said Lee Mainaga of the Maui Fire Department said. She was initially listed in critical condition.
The incident spurred authorities to shut down beaches one mile on each side of where the attack happened. By noon the next day, Thursday, the beach reopened, according to the county.
Lutteropp had traveled to Hawaii after finishing her year as an au pair, according to Cultural Care Au Pair, the agency she'd worked with.
The agency said Wednesday, on its Facebook page, that Lutteropp died "surrounded by her family."
"Please join us in keeping them in your thoughts and prayers," Cultural Care said.
This shark attack is the fourth in Maui this year, with two happening on the same day in February, and the other in late July.
Four days after the Maui incident, in Pohoiki Bay on what's known as the Big Island, a gray shark bit a 16-year-old across both legs as he was surfing, CNN affiliate KHON reported.
While shark attacks have been on the uptick in recent years, according to the University of Florida, the fatality rate in the United States is just 2%.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana’s building cost inflation rises to 4% in July
43 minutes -
PURC seeks safeguards for utility lines amid construction
49 minutes -
Cocoa bean exports to EU: Ghana ranked 4th in Africa – Fitch Solutions
2 hours -
Today’s Front pages: Thursday, August 27, 2026
2 hours -
Rotary Club of Accra-Airport celebrates 25 years with book, documentary launch
2 hours -
BoG deploys AI to improve inflation forecasting and economic data gathering – First Deputy Governor
3 hours -
Ghana records fastest economic growth since 2019, but requires reforms to translate into jobs – World Bank
3 hours -
Central Region NPP women executives endorse Justin Kodua for second term
4 hours -
Oil extends losses on hopes for Middle East talks to ease supply woes
5 hours -
Gov’t must put its skin in the game – Chamber of Mines demands tax, power relief for local gold refining
5 hours -
I was suspended for defending NPP constitution, not opposing Akufo-Addo – Sammy Crabbe
5 hours -
NPP suffered serious systemic failure in 2024 polls – Sammy Crabbe
5 hours -
AMA arrests six drivers, mates over alleged overcharging of passengers
5 hours -
NDC activist backs Sammy Gyamfi, calls for facts in GoldBod $1.7bn debate
5 hours -
‘Don’t exclude us, then blame us for indiscipline’ – Catholic Bishops on GES Council removal
5 hours