Positivity: Hero woman rescues shark victim
May 10, 2008 07:40pm
A MAN who was savaged by a 4m shark just off a popular beach in WA owes his life to a local hero who swam to his rescue and helped bring him to shore.
The shark tore two chunks from 37-year-old Jason Cull’s left leg, leaving him flailing and yelling for help from passersby at Middleton Beach in Albany at 7.30am.
He was rescued by a woman and received first aid before being taken to Albany Regional Hospital for surgery.
The extent of Mr Cull’s injuries are not known, but St John Ambulance confirmed he had suffered bites to one leg.
Albany Sea Rescue yesterday tracked the shark, which was described as a white pointer with a “belly the size of a 44-gallon drum”.
Authorities closed the beach and sent a spotter plane to monitor the movements of three sharks _ two of 4m and one 5m — sighted in the bay.
Albany locals yesterday said the sharks may have been enticed into the bay by schools of salmon or a pod of dolphins that had been seen in the area earlier.
Joanne Lucas grabbed Mr Cull and dragged him to safety as the shark loitered just 3m away.
“Instinct just kicked in,” Mrs Lucas told The Sunday Times.“I didn’t even have to think about it, which is amazing really. It all just happened. I didn’t think, I just thought I had to get in there.”
Mrs Lucas, a mother-of-one, said she swam to Mr Cull, but was acutely aware that two other swimmers in the water were at grave risk of being attacked.
“I got to him and he said: ‘Thank God. Thank you so much — a shark has attacked my leg.”
“It thought it was a dolphin to start with, but when he told me it had taken a big chunk (from his leg), I thought `Oh no’.
“I kept thinking that I’ve got to get him in before it turns around and comes after us. I was thinking I have to beat (the shark) in (to shore). …..
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