Mayor: Shark attack father 'a hero'

Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf

(CNN) -- Patrol boats searched Monday for more sharks off the Atlantic coast after a shark attack over the weekend resulted in the death of a 10-year-old boy.

David Peltier was attacked on Saturday in shallow water off Virginia Beach, Virginia, and died on Sunday.

The boy's father, Richard Peltier, sustained minor injuries as he tried to save his son by fighting off the shark.

Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf told CNN that Saturday's attack was the first known shark attack on a swimmer in the city's recorded history.

MORE STORIES Beaches open after fatal shark attack     MEMORIAL FUND c/o Wachovia Bank-Business Banking   125 Independence Blvd.   Virginia Beach, VA 23462

CNN: You have met with the father, and I understand he has some cuts on his hand. How is he doing?

OBERNDORF: I actually talked to him over the phone. He does not talk about his own injuries. He is grieving heavily over the loss of his son. I told him we all thought of him as a hero for what he did to turn his son loose, but he said, it didn't work.

CNN: He told you what he saw in the water. What happened? How did he describe that?

OBERNDORF: He said that the water was so clear, that he happened to glance down and notice the shark. He saw the fin, he saw the blue back of the shark, and he also was aware of what a shark looked like. He immediately called his boys to get back on their surfboard. He leaned over to pick David up, the 10-year-old, and before he could pull him all the way on the board, the shark had him.

CNN: And you started a memorial fund for the family.

OBERNDORF: Yes.

CNN: Do they need the help?

OBERNDORF: This is a young family of modest means. I'm sure they never thought they would be facing the type of medical bills as well as funeral costs for a young child. In addition, I thought if some of the funds could be used to establish a scholarship in memory of David Peltier just to make his memory live on and offer some hope to other children, it would be well worth it.

CNN: Thanks, Mayor Oberndorf.

OBERNDORF: Thank you.