For the fifth time this year, a shark attacked a 25-year-old surfer off the coast of Hawaii, causing the man to lose his left leg. The man swam on his own until he was rescued by a fellow surfer.
The man was identified as Colin Cook, a native from Oahu, and was rushed to Queen's Medical Center. Officials say Cook was in critical condition because of his lost leg, but he never lost consciousness.
The shark that attacked was reported to be measured between 10 and 12 feet. Authorities have yet to identify what kind of shark had attacked.
Cook's relatives said that he was waiting for a wave while sitting on his surfboard when he noticed a school of fish jump out of the water. They say that the shark attacked him from underneath. Cook punched the shark a few times before it swam away.
Shayne Enright, a spokesperson for the Honolulu Emergency Medical Services, said that after being helped by another surfer, Cook was towed in by a kayaker. While waiting for an ambulance to arrive, several people on the beach placed the bleeding man on a surfboard and used a board's leash as a tourniquet.
"He was screaming 'shark' and 'help,'" recounted Drew Zarba. "I grabbed the surfboard and I laid it down right here as he was pulling off his leash off."
Enright said that Cook acquired some abrasions to his hand because he was trying to fend off the shark.
Lifeguards have been patrolling parts of the 2-mile area where the incident occurred to warn people from any danger. Nearby beaches have been closed and officials will have to decide if they should be reopened anytime soon.
Incidentally, another shark attack survivor was at the scene of the incident when it occurred. Mike Coots, who also lost his leg in 1997 when he was attacked by a shark while he was body-boarding in Kauai, was shooting a documentary about his experience.
"Life goes on and you can still surf. There's nothing that's going to stop you from surfing, getting back in the water," said Coots.
Photo : Elias Levy | Flickr
