Man bitten by shark off Gold Coast during fishing trip
A Queensland fisherman has described struggling with a shark which "latched on" to his leg after being caught during a Gold Coast fishing charter.
Scott Van Burck received a minor laceration to his lower leg during the brief encounter with the shark, which he landed approximately 20km off the coast.
"He latched on and wouldn't let go and AJ pinned him down for me so I wouldn't thrash around and then I had to pry his teeth open with a pair of pliers and I ripped him off," Van Burck told 7 News.
The 31-year-old was fishing when the incident occurred.
He landed the reef shark and while reeling it onto the boat it bit him on his lower leg.
A 31 yo skipper has been taken to hospital after he landed a shark and it latched onto his leg. @7NewsQueensland pic.twitter.com/gk3umzUse1
— Bianca Stone (@Bianca_Stone) July 20, 2016
GC Skipper Scott Van Burck says he got more of a bite than @Mick_Fanning .. Hear his shark tale on @7NewsQueensland pic.twitter.com/T1y9Q542oQ
— Bianca Stone (@Bianca_Stone) July 20, 2016
While Van Burck was trying to release the shark, it started thrashing around on deck and bit down on his calf, refusing to let go of it's grip.
The avid fisherman wanted to keep fishing but his customers persuaded him to head back to shore and call an ambulance.
He has since been transported in a stable condition to nearby Pindara Private Hospital where he will receive ongoing treatment.
Paramedics have said that Van Burck will probably need three or four stitches and also tetanus shot.
News break – July 20
