Re: 12/17/2007 Ben Morcom (Australia)
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 1:31 pm
Shark attack victim says bite 'like being hit by car'
January 06, 2008 12:10am
A South Australian man bitten on the bum by by a two-metre long great white shark north of Newcastle last month says it was "like being hit by a car".
Ben Morcom, 31, has spoken about his brush with death when surfing at Jimmys Beach near Nelson Bay on December 18, revealing he discharged himself early from hospital to attend to bridal party duties for his cousin's wedding.
The attack occurred when Mr Morcom was surfing with cousin Ryan Calder just days before Mr Calder was due to get married, New Idea reports today.
"It all happened very quickly," Mr Morcom said.
"I lay down on my board and began to paddle then suddenly without warning I felt this almighty bang on my right side.
"It was just like being hit by a car."
Although his surfboard bore the brunt of the shark's attack, Mr Morcom suffered severe cuts and deep lacerations.
With a large flap of skin opened up on his right buttock, Mr Morcom made it out of the water to a car park where a fisherman drove him four kilometres to an ambulance station.
From there he was airlifted to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital.
Against doctors' orders he discharged himself early to attend his cousin's wedding preparations.
"They wanted me to stay a few more days, but I had stuff to do," the South Australian said, adding he was "too keen" to be part of the wedding.
Although he wasn't able to drink alcohol on the big day he said it was still "a pretty special thing".
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/stor ... 01,00.html
January 06, 2008 12:10am
A South Australian man bitten on the bum by by a two-metre long great white shark north of Newcastle last month says it was "like being hit by a car".
Ben Morcom, 31, has spoken about his brush with death when surfing at Jimmys Beach near Nelson Bay on December 18, revealing he discharged himself early from hospital to attend to bridal party duties for his cousin's wedding.
The attack occurred when Mr Morcom was surfing with cousin Ryan Calder just days before Mr Calder was due to get married, New Idea reports today.
"It all happened very quickly," Mr Morcom said.
"I lay down on my board and began to paddle then suddenly without warning I felt this almighty bang on my right side.
"It was just like being hit by a car."
Although his surfboard bore the brunt of the shark's attack, Mr Morcom suffered severe cuts and deep lacerations.
With a large flap of skin opened up on his right buttock, Mr Morcom made it out of the water to a car park where a fisherman drove him four kilometres to an ambulance station.
From there he was airlifted to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital.
Against doctors' orders he discharged himself early to attend his cousin's wedding preparations.
"They wanted me to stay a few more days, but I had stuff to do," the South Australian said, adding he was "too keen" to be part of the wedding.
Although he wasn't able to drink alcohol on the big day he said it was still "a pretty special thing".
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/stor ... 01,00.html