A spearfisher practically misplaced his arm in a shark assault off Australia's west coast on Friday, officers and native media reported. In a information launch, Western Australia's Division of Main Industries stated a number of businesses responded to a "severe shark chew incident" that occurred offshore from Port Hedland.
The sufferer, recognized by The Australian newspaper as Robbie Peck, was bitten by an unknown species of shark after he had speared a fish. Authorities stated he was taken to shore and attended to by St John's Ambulance earlier than being transported to hospital.
A Royal Flying Physician Service spokesperson instructed Australian Related Press the person sustained a number of accidents and his left arm had "practically been severed." Well being officers stated the person was in secure situation, the outlet reported.
Peck's spouse, Emily, instructed 7News Australia stated she was surprised when she realized concerning the assault.
"Simply that sinking feeling in your intestine and I swear the entire blood simply drained from my face," she instructed the community. "It is not a cellphone name you ever need to get. You count on the more severe immediately once you hear shark assault."
Shark assaults elevated around the globe in 2021 following three consecutive years of decline, officers stated in January. The U.S. as soon as once more reported essentially the most unprovoked shark bites in 2021, with 47 confirmed circumstances — 64% of the worldwide whole. Australia had the second most unprovoked incidents with 12, researchers stated.
In keeping with the web site Monitoring Sharks, there have been no less than 11 shark assault bites in Australia this yr, together with one fatality. In February, seaside communities in Sydney, Australia have been rocked by the primary lethal shark assault in many years.