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Paramedics have hailed the “remarkable” survival story of a South Australian surfer who swam back to shore alone and walked 300 meters for help after sustaining “extraordinary” injuries from a shark bite on a beach remote.
Paramedic Michael Rushby said the man had “serious” lacerations to his back, butt and leg “consistent with a fairly large shark bite,” but managed to escape to safety.
The shark bit the 29-year-old man on Sunday while sailing in D’Estrees Bay on Kangaroo Island.
He was first treated by an off-duty paramedic who drove to the beach in his personal car, and Rushby and another paramedic treated him further before he was taken to Flinders Medical Center.
“We stabilize him on the side of the road, treat his injuries and manage his pain,” Rushby said. “The young man suffered serious lacerations to his back, butt and thigh. These injuries were consistent with a fairly large shark bite. “
From the hospital, the shark attack victim issued a handwritten note of his experience, thanking the paramedics and medical staff who saved him.
“I was sitting on my board when I felt a blow to my left side,” he wrote. “It was like being hit by a truck.
“He bit my back, buttocks and elbow, and tore a piece off the board. I could see the shark as it broke loose and disappeared. “
Rushby said the man later managed to swim back to shore.
“That’s one of the remarkable parts of the story, he told me he swam back to the beach alone,” he said. “And then he had to walk 300 meters to the parking lot where he was able to get help from passersby. With the extent of his injuries, this was quite remarkable. “
He said the man was conscious while paramedics treated him.
“He was able to carry on a conversation from the moment I met him to the moment I delivered him. He was doing well, he was able to remember the event, and he was able to have a conversation that was good and comforting.
“This is my first shark bite while I am a paramedic. However, with that said, we trained for trauma, this was a trauma case. “
From the hospital, the man said he was “incredibly lucky” and “optimistic that I will make a full recovery.”
