Young shark attack victim's brave gesture to rescuers
Rescuers have revealed the brave gesture of a 12-year-old shark attack victim as she was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Melbourne girl Hannah Papps was holidaying with her father and sister when she received a life-threatening wound to her right leg while swimming in shallow water in Cid Harbour.
An RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter airlifted Hannah from Whitsunday Island to Mackay Base Hospital and she was later transferred to Brisbane.
The Courier Mail reports Hannah managed to smile at rescuers and give them the thumbs up as she was loaded into a helicopter after the Whitsundays attack on Thursday.
Her attack came after Tasmanian mother Justine Barwick was bitten on her left thigh while snorkelling in the same area less than 24 hours earlier.
Both have now been transferred to hospitals in Brisbane where the 12-year-old is in a critical but stable condition. Ms Barwick is also in a stable condition and will remain in hospital in Brisbane for at least two weeks.
“We would like to thank everyone who has helped and cared for Hannah, including the police, emergency services and the hospital teams,” her family said in a statement on Friday.
“We ask that everyone, including the media, please respect our family’s privacy during this very difficult time so we can focus our energies on Hannah’s recovery.”
Ms Barwick’s husband Craig also released a statement praising doctors for their efforts.
“It looks like they have done an amazing job, it looks like it has always been there,” he said.
“The current prognosis is looking good with an estimated two to three weeks recovery in Brisbane and then back to Tasmania for further rehabilitation.
“Justine has been opening her eyes and blinking in response to mine and Lynne’s voice.
“All of us would like to thank the surgical team for their marathon effort to save Justine’s leg.”
Three baited hooks set by the Fisheries Department in the harbour on Friday will remain in place for at least a week as authorities try to catch a shark or sharks responsible.
It is the first time baited hooks have been used in the popular Whitsundays holiday destination, where the tourism industry is still recovering following Cyclone Debbie in 2017.
– With AAP
