Kayaker bitten by shark twice while trying to release it off Malibu coast in California, authorities say

A kayaker who caught a shark while fishing off California's coast was bitten twice and later hospitalized on Sunday morning, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

It happened just after 8:30 a.m. along West Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, according to the fire department.

The department initially called it a shark attack, but later said it was a fishing accident.

Officials said the kayaker was fishing about a half-mile offshore near Paradise Cove when he caught the shark. While trying to release it, the shark bit him and caused him to fall out of the kayak.

That's when the shark bit him a second time, the fire department said.

The victim was transported to a local hospital, officials said. Their condition was not immediately known.

The beach remained open. No additional information was immediately available.