A 37-year-old surfer bitten by a shark northwest of Santa Rosa Island on Saturday was airlifted by the Coast Guard to the mainland and transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital where he was reported in stable condition.
“This was the best possible outcome to a truly terrifying situation,” Lt. Benjamin McIntyre-Coble, the Coast Guard Sector-Los Angeles/Long Beach command duty officer, said in a Coast Guard bulletin.
The incident occurred around 3 p.m. off the island that is located 26 miles from Santa Barbara, Calif., according to the Coast Guard report.
An unnamed friend told KEYT that the surfer believed it to be a great white shark, and the attack was so powerful it shattered his surfboard into pieces.
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One twitter user claiming to be a boat partner of the victim said that his friend was paddling out to surf from the boat when the shark attacked from below and launched him into the air. He was said to have suffered four lacerations across his right thigh. He swam to the boat and the Coast Guard was called.
A tourniquet, as can be seen in the Coast Guard video, was applied to the right leg.
“This individual was fortunate to be with a buddy who was able to communicate their position to the Coast Guard,” McIntyre-Coble said. “We are all happy that he will be able to be with his family in time for the holidays.”
KEYT reported that the victim was set to be released Sunday night. KSBY said the surfer was expected to make a full recovery.
Photo courtesy of the Coast Guard.
