A British tourist is fighting for his life in intensive care after being viciously attacked by a shark while holidaying on the south-eastern Caribbean island of Tobago. The 64-year-old visitor sustained severe injuries to his hand, thigh, and stomach during the terrifying encounter at Turtle Beach along Great Courland Bay.
According to reports from The Mirror, the shark attack occurred just 10 meters offshore as the tourist ventured into the water. Witnesses described the shark as a bull shark, estimated to be up to ten feet in length and two feet in width, as it attacked the victim in waist-deep waters.
The Trinidad and Tobago government responded swiftly to the incident, closing seven beaches along the north-western coast of Tobago as a precautionary measure. The closures, affecting popular spots like the Grafton area and the Buccoo Reef Marine Park, aim to facilitate investigations by the Coast Guard and Department of Fisheries to assess the shark threat and neutralize it if possible.
Stephanie Wright, a witness from West Sussex, recounted the harrowing scene, stating, “I saw a dorsal fin come out of the water and thought, ‘Oh my God, it’s a shark.’ As it turned, I saw the tail come out as well. As it swam off.” Wright initially mistook the commotion for a medical emergency before realizing the gravity of the situation.
The victim was promptly rushed to the hospital following the attack and admitted to an intensive care unit for treatment of his critical injuries.
The incident underscores the ongoing risk posed by sharks in coastal waters, with data from the International Shark Attack File revealing 69 unprovoked attacks and 22 provoked bites worldwide last year, resulting in 14 fatalities. As authorities work to address the immediate threat in Tobago, beachgoers are urged to exercise caution and adhere to safety advisories in shark-prone areas.
According to reports from The Mirror, the shark attack occurred just 10 meters offshore as the tourist ventured into the water. Witnesses described the shark as a bull shark, estimated to be up to ten feet in length and two feet in width, as it attacked the victim in waist-deep waters.
The Trinidad and Tobago government responded swiftly to the incident, closing seven beaches along the north-western coast of Tobago as a precautionary measure. The closures, affecting popular spots like the Grafton area and the Buccoo Reef Marine Park, aim to facilitate investigations by the Coast Guard and Department of Fisheries to assess the shark threat and neutralize it if possible.
Stephanie Wright, a witness from West Sussex, recounted the harrowing scene, stating, “I saw a dorsal fin come out of the water and thought, ‘Oh my God, it’s a shark.’ As it turned, I saw the tail come out as well. As it swam off.” Wright initially mistook the commotion for a medical emergency before realizing the gravity of the situation.
The victim was promptly rushed to the hospital following the attack and admitted to an intensive care unit for treatment of his critical injuries.
The incident underscores the ongoing risk posed by sharks in coastal waters, with data from the International Shark Attack File revealing 69 unprovoked attacks and 22 provoked bites worldwide last year, resulting in 14 fatalities. As authorities work to address the immediate threat in Tobago, beachgoers are urged to exercise caution and adhere to safety advisories in shark-prone areas.
