Quick-thinking witnesses saved surfer after shark attack
A surfer has undergone emergency surgery after having his lower leg and thigh mauled in a shark attack.
Joel Mason, 36, was having an early morning surf off Nambucca Heads, on NSW’s Mid North coast, when he was set upon about 7am on Sunday.
His life was saved by the quick thinking of witnesses who helped stem the bleeding after he managed to swim to the breakwall near the entrance of the Nambucca River.
With his leg bleeding heavily, witnesses helped tie a tourniquet around his upper thigh.
“We were able to, with the help of bystanders, stop the bleeding and start fluid replacement,” paramedic Steve Fraser revealed.
“But as you can imagine any shark bite is a significant wound.”
Stabilised by paramedics who clambered down to him, he was airlifted to Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital.
“He was conscious, and extremely brave, he was an amazing patient and I give him all credit,” Mr Fraser said.
Mr Mason, who told paramedics he didn’t even see the shark, arrived at the hospital in a serious but stable condition and immediately underwent emergency surgery for the wounds on his right thigh and lower leg.
He will undergo further surgery in the coming days.
Mr Mason, a teacher at Bowraville High School is a father of three and a dedicated surfer.
“He loves to surf early , and he loves to surf by himself,” his father Rob Mason revealed.
“He says he’s shark bait but he’s prepared to take the risk and he does.”
Mr Mason’s dad says his son has surfed since he was five and Sunday’s attack will do little to dim his love of the ocean.
“He may not go surfing by himself as often, but i figure he still will,” he said.
Police and lifeguards searched for the shark after the attack, with nearby beaches remaining closed on Monday.
