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Shark Attack

January 19, 2012 by · Comments Off on Shark Attack 

Shark Attack, A surfer has described his split-second decision to rush to the aid of his mate, who was attacked by a two-metre bull shark at Redhead beach yesterday afternoon.

Nathan Visscher was 20 metres away from 44-year-old Glen Folkard at about 4.30pm yesterday when he heard shouting and calls for help.

“All of a sudden I heard a little bit profanity a little bit north of me,” Mr Visscher told 1233 Breakfast presenter Jenny Bates.

“He’d been knocked off his board, and he was yelling out ‘someone help, help, I need help!’

“It wasn’t until I saw a couple of bits of foam pop up, and a good stream of blood, that I realised ‘geez, this is a shark attack, this is really happening.”

Redhead’s beach lifeguard team leader Paul Stone described the assistance provided by surfers as ‘heroic’.

“Imagine putting yourself in that position,” Mr Stone said.

“You’d be thinking in two minds (thinking) ‘what do I do, do I save myself, or help someone else?

“It was a really selfless act, helping their mate back to the water’s edge.”

Lifeguards called the ambulance service, and were waiting at the water’s edge, by the time the surfer’s had returned to shore.

Mr Stone describes the incident as ‘surreal’.

“I don’t think anyone expects this will happen, although obviously it does from time to time,” he said.

Mr Folkard was rushed to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition, and as a result all Lake Macquarie beaches are closed.

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