Sharks Attacks in South Carolina; Man Saving Others While Attacked by Shark.
COOPER: Beach-goers are on edge this Fourth of July weekend along the coast of North and South Carolina. Ten shark attacks this year, most in recent weeks. And that's up from the initial six all year long. The latest just yesterday in North Carolina's outer banks. 67-year- old Andrew Costello bitten by a six or seven foot gray shark. Injuries to his hands, rib cage, hip, and lower leg. Incredibly his niece says he is doing well. In a moment, another survivor who's being called a hero, but first CNN meteorologist Jennifer Gray joins us from Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Obviously, big weekend coming up. Are they any plans to close the beaches where these attacks occurred?</s>JENNIFER GRAY, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yeah, not at all, Anderson. In fact, the park service is responsible for the beaches, and they say they only have jurisdiction up to the shore. After that once you get in the water it is out of their control. They have no plans to close the beaches, and they say they are going to stay open throughout the weekend.</s>COOPER: It is very easy to hype shark attacks and most people do it an awful lot. But there really has been an unprecedented number of attacks in this area in the last few months?</s>GRAY: Absolutely. It is a little unusual to see this many bites. Just in the past couple of weeks we have seen ten. But researchers are saying they can't really pinpoint it to one thing or another. Look, sharks are wild animals. They're constantly looking for food. There are actually a lot of tiger sharks off the mid-Atlantic right now looking for turtles. And if you are in between the shark and the food source, you could possibly get bit. But it is obvious that we are not on the menu, because they always bite and then they let go. So, they tell people just to be smart about it. Try to stay pretty close to shore. Do not go swimming where people are fishing. A lot of the surf fishermen are actually targeting sharks. So, you don't want to be swimming around them. You definitely don't want to be swimming around structure, like piers, where people are fishing off of. Fish like structure. They like to hang close to that. And so, try to stay away from those. And just be aware of your surroundings.</s>COOPER: Yes. Jennifer Gray. Thank you very much. . Now, Patrick Thornton, he was in shallow water. Friday, he was swimming with his eight-year-old son in Avon, North Carolina. His niece, nephew, many others were also in the water. Tonight he's being hailed as a hero. And you are going to see why. Because he warned others and fought off a shark that was biting him. Pulling his own son to safety. Getting others out of the water. Patrick has wounds to his leg and back. He joins us with his incredible story. Patrick, this is so incredible that you had the presence of mind to not only fend off the shark, but to save your son and probably other people as well.</s>COOPER: Take us through what happened? Because I know you were swimming with your eight-year-old son Jack. When did you realize there was a shark around?</s>PATRICK THORNTON: When the wave, you know when the rip curl of a wave comes down and it is like white caps.</s>COOPER: Right.</s>THORNTON: That's kind of the, the shark must have been in that, because when the wave crashed down, I stood with my back towards the wave. And as the, as the -- as the surf, if you will, was getting pulled back into the ocean, that's when the shark bit me.</s>COOPER: Wow! So, it's actually in the wave?</s>THORNTON: It actually must have come in the wave. Because I didn't see anything. And -- that's when it started to pull. I thought it was really odd because it was a pretty big pull. And I thought the last thing I thought in my mind was there was a shark there. But I really noticed the shark when it, it actually came around my back and then it -- it started. It actually came around and I saw its fin.</s>COOPER: I have got to ask, I mean that is probably everybody's nightmare, seeing a fin in the water coming towards them. What went through your mind when you saw that fin?</s>THORNTON: Well, it happened so fast. The very first thought I had was -- I have got to get jack out of here. Number two, my niece and nephew were also in the ocean. I just started, I started shouting, shark, shark. Everyone out of the water. At the same time I'm punching the shark trying to get the shark away from me. And then went over to, you know, to obviously grab my son.</s>COOPER: I mean I assume Jack heard you shouting shark. I don't know if he saw the fin as well. How was he? Was he in shock? Did he know what was going on?</s>THORNTON: He just looked at me, our eyes met. And he knew by looking at my eyes that I was serious and that he needed to listen and we needed to get out as soon as possible.</s>COOPER: You have no doubt it was the same shark that bit you each time?</s>THORNTON: I never saw it, but the folks that were on the beach at the time said there were two or three sharks that came up afterwards. So I believe it was the same shark. But it could have been -- it could have been a different shark because, by the time I got out of the ocean there were two or three sharks swimming in the same area. If I would have been in ocean for another few minutes. The other sharks showed up pretty quickly. I don't know if I would have made it out alive.</s>COOPER: When you were punching the shark. Do you think that had an effect on the shark?</s>THORNTON: I do, Anderson. You know the force, at which I was punching the shark would have been hard for him to hang on. I was punching as hard as I could. And I do think that's the -- why he was -- I believe that's the way he disengaged from me. I have learned since that that was supposed, that's something you are supposed to do. And by happenstance and just being alert and reactive, that's what, that's what I did naturally, actually.</s>COOPER: You were flown to a hospital. How, how is the healing process going?</s>THORNTON: Yeah, thanks, I appreciate it. A couple of things I said, the Avon first care responders did a phenomenal job. They were there within, within ten minutes of me being on the beach. And then they, they, like you said, they air lifted me right to the Norfolk General Hospital. And as soon as I got, as soon as I came in on the helicopter, they brought me right into surgery and operated immediately.</s>COOPER: Does this change the way, I mean is it mountain vacations from here on in for you?</s>THORNTON: You know, it's a good question. I haven't really thought about going on another vacation.</s>COOPER: You deserve another vacation, I got to tell you.</s>THORNTON: Well, thank you, I appreciate that. You know, I don't think I am going to take a different approach. I think what happened, happened. Having said that, the biggest surprise here was the shark attacked me at, what I thought would be, you know very shallow water. And was surprised it did that. So, the next vacation I take just may be in the mountains, not the beach.</s>COOPER: I can understand that. Well, I mean, Patrick again. It's just - you are obviously a great dad that, you know, you were able to be so kind of rational in the midst of all of this. And think, you know, and save Jack and your nieces and other people on the beach. Because I know, I have seen interviews other people on the beach credit you with, with possibly saving their kids as well. So there is a lot of people very thankful for what you did. And I appreciate you talking to us tonight. Thank you.</s>THORNTON: Well, thank you, and I think I am only here by the grace of God. So, thank you, Anderson.</s>COOPER: Just ahead. It is incredible. A couple in Texas - two men who have been together for 27 years. They want to get married. As it is now their right to do so. But the county clerk, someone we told you about this week, still isn't making it easy.