The heroes of Esperance
Before disaster struck, they were strangers who happened to be enjoying a warm morning on a virtually deserted beach.
There weren't many of them - but what they did together under almost unbearable pressure certainly saved the life of surfer Sean Pollard.
Today, The Weekend West tells their incredible, brave story - from surfer Ross Tamlin hearing Sean's screams to Kylie Rothnie using makeshift tourniquets and towels to stem his bleeding, after her husband Peter and Dean Gaebler dragged him from the water.
"It would have been a very confronting situation," paramedic Paul Gaughan, who rushed Mr Pollard to Esperance hospital, said yesterday.
"They have all gone into action to do what needed to be done and stop the bleeding very quickly and apply that first aid, which was no doubt life saving. Those early minutes were the minutes that counted."
Mr Pollard is recovering in hospital.
MATES' PRAISE FOR 'POLLY | ATTACK FEARS | DANGER TIME IN THE WATER | KILL ORDER FOR SHARKS | SHARK ATTACK AS IT HAPPENED
While those who played key roles in his survival were being hailed heroes, there were more sinister developments in Perth, where Department of Fisheries officers received death threats over the capture and killing of the two great whites caught at Kelpids beach, where Mr Pollard was attacked.
The Weekend West understands Fisheries received phone calls and emails yesterday threatening their safety.
Premier Colin Barnett said "so-called conservationists" making threats would face serious consequences.
"I respect that people may have their views on this issue but that does not give anyone the right to intimidate or threaten others," Mr Barnett said.
"The State Government and Fisheries are acting in the interests of public safety and any threats against people who are simply doing their job will be immediately reported to police."
The cpatured sharks were last night being dissected at a Fisheries facility in the northern suburbs to determine whether either was involved in the attack. The sharks were moved from Esperance in a refrigerated truck.
Kelpids beach, 6km east of Esperance, remained closed yesterday but was expected to be reopened today.
