British man loses legs to great white after ignoring warnings

[News_Editor]

British man loses legs to great white after ignoring warnings

2011-09-29 00:19:26 GMT+7 (ICT)

FISH HOEK, SOUTH AFRICA (BNO NEWS) -- A British man lost both his legs on early Wednesday afternoon when he was attacked by a Great White Shark off the coast of South Africa, rescue workers said. He is in a critical condition.

A spokesperson for the National Sea Rescue Institute said its volunteer duty crew was called in at 12.24 p.m. local time following reports that a 42-year-old man had been attacked by a white shark while swimming at Clovelly Corner near the beach in Fish Hoek, a town near Cape Town.

When emergency crews arrived at the scene, the victim was found on the beach suffering from a complete amputation of his right leg and a partial amputation of his left leg below the knee. He was rescued from the water by a bystander before emergency services arrived at the scene.

"The man was stabilized on-scene by paramedics and airlifted to Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic hospital by the Discovery ER-24 helicopter in a critical condition but he is now believed to have been stabilized," the spokesperson said. "The man was conscious when paramedics attended to him on the beach but was sedated on-scene by paramedics in their efforts to stabilize the patient."

According to officials, City of Cape Town shark spotters had flown the 'shark present - no swimming' flag since Wednesday morning to alert swimmers about the threat. In addition, the victim had personally been warned that at least three white sharks had been seen in the area just a short time earlier.

The name of the victim was not immediately released, but the National Sea Rescue Institute identified him as a British citizen who lives in South Africa. "[He is] believed to be from Plumstead, but this has not yet been confirmed," a spokesperson said.

According to the International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida, a total of 79 shark attacks were reported in 2010, the highest number since 2000. Six of those attacked were killed.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-09-29

[mccw]

What a muppet. Glad his saviour didn't get attacked as well. Think I would of left him to his fate

[geriatrickid]

He certainly hasn't got a leg to stand on in this matter as he was warned and the the shark flag was up.

[siampolee]

Methinks that both mccw and GK should indeed give up their morning intake of battery acid, vinegar and lime juice and find some compassion for the victim,

Indeed i do hope neither of you have a mishap either warned about a danger or not.

As far as we are aware the man ignored the warnings, however the milk of human kindness runs in most peoples veins unlike you two who are indeed vitriolic and seem to be amused by the victims injuries. ,

[Scott]

The milk of human kindness is short supply on Thaivisa.

I am still afraid to go into the water after seeing 'Jaws' umpteen years ago. Probably a billboard with a clip or still from a scene in that movie would act to distract people from venturing into the water.

[mpoppel]

The milk of human kindness is short supply on Thaivisa.

I am still afraid to go into the water after seeing 'Jaws' umpteen years ago. Probably a billboard with a clip or still from a scene in that movie would act to distract people from venturing into the water.

From the article:

"According to the International Shark Attack File at the University of Florida, a total of 79 shark attacks were reported in 2010, the highest number since 2000. Six of those attacked were killed."

Six killed worldwide in 2010. If you look at it that way, there is a much, much greater chance of you dying of other causes. The chances of being struck by lightning, dying in a plane crash, etc. are probably much higher. Then again, maybe the Briton had those odds in mind when he went into the water

[bdenner]

Accolades to the bystander who went to the rescue, an extremely brave person indeed.

[geriatrickid]

Methinks that both mccw and GK should indeed give up their morning intake of battery acid, vinegar and lime juice and find some compassion for the victim,

Indeed i do hope neither of you have a mishap either warned about a danger or not.

As far as we are aware the man ignored the warnings, however the milk of human kindness runs in most peoples veins unlike you two who are indeed vitriolic and seem to be amused by the victims injuries. ,

:cheesy: Human kindness and compassion have nothing to do with this.

City of Cape Town shark spotters had flown the 'shark present - no swimming' flag since Wednesday morning to alert swimmers about the threat. In addition, the victim had personally been warned that at least three white sharks had been seen in the area just a short time earlier. What is one supposed to be compassionate about? The chap made his decision. . He ignored the warnings. The shark did what it does and had a meal. Sucks to be legless and I wish the chap well, but what else do you want?

[bushwacker]

I'm thinking this is not the first time the victim has ignored signs or warnings BUT this time his number came up!

Yes, it is sad, but he did make the decision to ignore the warnings. And I would suspect that if he had a good swim then he would be telling everybody willing to listen that the signs mean nothing and the sharks are not a problem. :jap:

[koknia]

Must be a horrible experience, but I have a tough time seeing this as anything other than natural selection.

[Steely Dan]

Must be a horrible experience, but I have a tough time seeing this as anything other than natural selection.

Quite; Had he been swimming off Darwin it would have been very appropriate.

[siampolee]

He certainly hasn't got a leg to stand on in this matter as he was warned and the the shark flag was up.

Very strange way to wish someone well is it not GK. ?

Perhaps you might do well to think about counselling and learning something about sympathy.for ones fellow human beings however silly they may appear to be.

[hehehoho]

He'll be kicking himself once the meds ware off.

No doubt he'll stay out of the sea in the future, even if it's only a hop, skip and jump away.

Edited September 29, 2011 by hehehoho

[Scott]

The wit here may be as sharp as a shark's tooth, but I think it's in everyone's best interest to keep the sarcasm to a minimum.

[SAffer]

The secondary infections caused by shark bites are very dangerous indeed. This man is still not recovered, and still in grave danger.

Swimming alone in the sea is foolish, even if there is no shark warning.

[hehehoho]

The wit here may be as sharp as a shark's tooth, but I think it's in everyone's best interest to keep the sarcasm to a minimum.

Gotcha loud and clear.

Once bitten twice shy and all that.

[Credo]

What infections can you get from shark bites?

[zorro1]

What infections can you get from shark bites?

good question, sharks dont have saliva

They showed the shark on TV menacingly pattroling just beyond the last breakers. Creepy

[SAffer]

What infections can you get from shark bites?

good question, sharks dont have saliva

They showed the shark on TV menacingly pattroling just beyond the last breakers. Creepy

They have serated teeth, and rotting food particles in there.

In my hometown, we had an attack where a body-boarder lost his leg too. The secondary infections nearly cost him his life... weeks after the incident.