Victim says there were two sharks
Sean Pollard maintains he was mauled by two sharks off WA's southern coast despite expert opinion leaning towards a lone attack.
Mr Pollard's uncle Kim Fergusson broke the family's silence yesterday, speaking publicly for the first time since the 23-year-old was set upon while surfing at Wylie Bay, near Esperance, on Thursday.
Mr Pollard lost his right hand and his left arm above the elbow in the attack and has since undergone two rounds of surgery at Royal Perth Hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.
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Mr Fergusson said his nephew's physical fitness, built through his passion for football and surfing, would aid his recovery and had helped him paddle to shore despite his horrific injuries.
"He's a fighter . . . what a great deal of strength that would have taken," Mr Fergusson said.
On Saturday, Department of Fisheries' principal shark scientist Rory McAuley said evidence led him to believe there was only one white shark involved in the attack but Mr Fergusson reaffirmed Mr Pollard's original claim of two.
"He did say that there were two sharks in the water," Mr Fergusson said.
"I don't think there would be any other incident in the world, let alone Australia, where a person has survived a dual shark attack."
Mr Fergusson thanked the strangers, including an off-duty volunteer paramedic, who helped Mr Pollard immediately after the attack.
"Sean and the family think that if it wasn't for them he would have lost his life," Mr Fergusson said. "It's something the family discuss quite frequently, how lucky he is to be alive."
As Mr Pollard begins the tortuous road to recovery, Mr Fergusson said his nephew's initial goal was being able to stand and hug his loved ones.
"Sean is a very positive person," he said. "He's very keen to fight his injuries. That's part of his character."
An appeal has been set up to help pay for Mr Pollard's medical bills.
Visit www.theseanpollardappeal.com to donate.
Sean is a very positive person. He's very keen to fight his injuries. " Uncle Kim Fergusson
