Elderly fisherman bitten by five-foot shark near Geelong
An elderly fisherman is in a critical condition after being mauled by a five-foot shark at the Bellarine Peninsula, east of at Geelong.
The 73-year-old man was fishing off the Queenscliff Harbour on Tuesday about 11am, when the shark he had just caught bit him on the arm, according to emergency services.
The New Gisborne man was in his boat when was trying to hook the broadnose sevengill shark with a gaff when it struck, biting him up to his elbow, police said.
Despite the horrific injuries and blood loss, the man drove his boat two kilometres back to the marina where paramedics were waiting for him, senior paramedic Brad Pole said in a statement.
Paramedics treated the man at the shore, and managed to stem the heavy bleeding before the man was transported to the Alfred Hospital by air ambulance.
“The man was bitten on the hand by a shark which he described as being about five feet long,” Mr Pole said.
It is believed the man's arm was mauled so badly he would need plastic surgery.
An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman confirmed a man was treated for a "serious hand injury" in Queenscliff.
News break – November 29
