Australian surfer survives shark attack and swims to shore alone

The surfer described the shark attack as like ‘being hit by a truck’
The attack took place at D’Estrees Bay on Kangaroo Island
Wikimedia Commons

An Australian surfer who suffered serious injuries in a shark attack managed to swim back to shore and walk 300 metres to find help.

The 29-year-old man was surfing by Australia’s Kangaroo Island, near Adelaide, on Sunday when he was bitten by the shark.

The animal seized his "back, buttock and elbow" and took a chunk out of his surfboard, the victim later said.

Despite his multiple wounds, he was able to swim his way back to safety.

Once he reached shore, he found help and was eventually taken to a nearby hospital.

One of the paramedics who treated him, Michael Rushby, described the man’s story as “remarkable”.

“He told me he swam back to the beach by himself,” Mr Rushby told The Guardian. “And then he had to walk 300 metres to the carpark where he was able to get some help from bystanders.

“With the extent of his injuries, this was quite remarkable.”

From his bed, the patient penned an account of his experience, thanking the medical staff who saved his life.

He wrote: “I was sitting on my board when I felt a hit on my left side – it was like being hit by a truck.

“It bit me around my back, buttock and elbow, and took a chunk out of my board. I got a glimpse of the shark as it let go and disappeared. I paddled onto the beach.

"I walked up to the car park and yelled out to another surfer who was about to go in. He drove me to Kingscote (a local town) and we were met halfway by the ambulance.

He continued: “I want to thank all those involved in getting me to hospital, the awesome emergency services and medical staff and my family and friends for all their love and support.

"I'm feeling incredibly lucky and grateful and I'm optimistic I'll make a full recovery."

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