Surfer 'drove to hospital' after shark attack at popular swim spot
A local teacher has been the latest victim to be attacked by a shark in South Australia following a string of incidents.
A surfer who was mauled by a great white shark at a well-known Aussie beach has become the second person to be attacked at the popular swim spot in less than a year.
The 64-year-old man was bitten on his leg at about 3.15pm on Tuesday, but managed to paddle back into shore at Blackspoint, near Elliston in South Australia. He is understood to have refused ambulance transport, despite bleeding heavily, and incredibly even managed to drive himself to Elliston Hospital.
Teacher 'paddled self into shore'
The man — a school teacher — was treated at the facility and later flown to Royal Adelaide Hospital for emergency surgery. A spokesperson for SA Health confirmed to Yahoo News the man remains under care but is now in a stable condition.
According to popular surfing website Beach Grit, the man paddled himself into shore after he was "bitten between the ass and leg".
Shared along with the site's report is a photo of a surfboard with clear damage to the underside of the board, believed to be have been sustained during the shark attack.
SA Police confirmed the injuries were considered non-life-threatening, with the attack having occurred about 200 metres offshore. Yahoo News Australia has contacted SA Health for an update on the man's condition.
Horrific details emerge as shark attack victim identified: 'He was gone'
Young shark attack victim identified as Khai Cowley: 'Very sad'
Second attack to rock town in space of a year
Addressing the attack, District Council of Elliston councillor Fiona Matthews said the town was still coming to terms with the death of local teacher Simon Baccanello, who was killed at the same spot by a shark last year.
“It’s still pretty fresh for everyone, pretty raw, and this is just going to bring back memories,” Ms Matthews said, The Adelaide Advertiser reported. “It’s not going to be good for the community, that’s for sure.”
Baccanello, 43, was out surfing near Elliston when he too was attacked by a shark at Walkers Rock. His body was never recovered, but parts of Baccanello wet suit were found in the days after the incident.
Horror year for SA
A total of three people died as a result of shark attacks in 2023, in a horror year in the water for South Australia.
Fifteen-year-old Khai Cowley died days after Christmas after being mauled by a shark offshore at Ethel Beach, about an eight hour drive from Blackspoint in Elliston.
The youngster had been "suddenly taken ... by a white pointer at Ethel Wreck," Khai's aunt, Lauryn Barley said. The young teen was reportedly 30 to 40 metres offshore when he was mauled by the shark with his father nearby.
In October, Tod Gendle, 55, was killed by a shark off the coast of Streaky Bay where friends watched as he was dragged under the water.
Meanwhile Bridgette O’Shannessy, 32, was attacked at Port Noarlunga in November but shared a photo over Christmas showing her recovery after being bitten on the face. In another encounter last year, Pamela Cooke, 64, was mauled at Beachport and suffered serious injuries to both her legs while she was swimming with a group near the jetty.
with NCA Newswire
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
