Survivor of shark attacks who nearly lost one leg in a three-metre shark attack, has spoken out to reveal the horrifying moment when he was almost bitten by the shark.
Phillip Brown, 24, was spearfishing for barramundi off Rocky Island east of Cairns, Far North Queensland, when he was attacked in the shallow waters on Sunday.
He remembered the moment when he was confronted by the bull shark. The giant bull shark gripped his leg so tightly that it broke his kneecap.
According to 7News, ‘I thought it may be my last day because I look at myself, and he’s a big shark’.
Phillip Brown, 24 (pictured), was spearfishing barramundi in Rocky Island east off Cairns on Sunday morning, when a three-meter bull shark bit him.
When the huge shark spotted the avid spearfisher while he was on the hunt to find barramundi, he had just returned from a trip in Yarrabah (east of Cairns).
As Mr Brown tried to stop the three-metre shark, he felt his leg twisting and popping out of the socket.
After calling out to his nephew and friend “he’s got you”, he instructed them to exit the water as soon as they could.
“The shark bit me in the leg so I took my spear gun and spun it around to stab him on the top of his head,” the 24-year old recalled.
While the spearfisher raced for safety, the bull shark continued to lurk in the shallows attracted by the blood.
Brown secured his nephew’s shirt tight around his spurting wound, as the group got into their boat to head for the mainland.
He encouraged his nephew and friend to disregard the low tide, even though it could cause damage to their boat.
Brown stated that the bull Shark who grabbed his leg so strongly it broke his kneecap was three meters in size (stock image).
They took the father-of-1 to their truck, and then raced him to the nearby health centre.
The man was then airlifted by helicopter to Cairns Hospital, where he received treatment for his dislocated knee as well as a large, open wound that had covered much of the rest of his leg.
The bottom of the spearfisher’s legs was twisted by the bull shark 180 degrees.
Brown suggests that a prior injury may have contributed to the recovery process.
He said, “If I hadn’t had the dislocated leg, he probably wouldn’t have ripped off my knee,”
When he thought back to the traumatizing attack, he stated that he was lucky to still be alive and thankful his nephew and best friend were there for him.
He said, “I believed it was my last dive.” “I was aware of what was about to occur.” It’s a bull shark, he’s going to have a go at me.’
This is the second shark attack on north Queensland within a few weeks. A 34-year old man was bitten by a shark in the Whitsundays, near Airlie Beach. (Photo: Yarrabah Beach)
This is the second shark attack on north Queensland within a few weeks. A 34-year old man was bitten by a shark in the Whitsundays, near Airlie Beach.
A man was swimming at Hook Island from October to get bitten in his leg.
His leg and ankle were lacerated by the bites, which resulted in stitches.
Peter Gleeson, a Queensland ambulance service officer, stated that shark bites should be taken seriously as they can lead to serious consequences.
Queensland is investing $4 million in pilot programs to test new technology. This will help reduce the shark bite risk, but it will not replace existing methods like nets or drumlines.