Emergency treatment for Atlantic shark attack woman

A woman has been flown to the UK for emergency treatment after being attacked by shark near a British Island.

The victim – said to be a member of the Ascension Island government – was swimming.

The British territory is between Africa and South America.

The Times newspaper reports that the woman was bit on the leg, quoting a source as saying: "Her husband had to punch the shark off her. It then went for him."

In a statement, island's official government said: "An emergency aero-medical flight is being arranged to transport the patient from Ascension Island to receive medical treatment in the UK."

Ascension Island covers just 34 square miles, and is governed as part of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.

The population is just over 800, according to a 2016 census.

People are being warned to swim in the island's waters at their own risk.