Shark attack: JP speaks to mom

2004-04-15 22:21

Elsabé Brits

Cape Town - John-Paul Andrew, the 16-year-old who lost a leg in a shark attack last week, said a few words and smiled at his mother on Thursday for the first time since the accident.

At a media conference at Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic, his parents, Robert and Estelle Andrew, his sister, Natasha, relatives and doctors told of the rescue operation that took place after JP was attacked.

Robert Andrew said police had found his son's leg four days after the attack at Surfers Corner, Muizenberg, on a beach at Gordon's Bay.

The chewed-off leg was still attached to the surfboard leash.

When asked to comment on the feeding of sharks in False Bay - to attract tourists - Robert Andrew said he was aware of the practice, but had not researched it.

"I am not angry at anyone. It is more important for us that our son lives and recovers."

Took four days to stabilise him

The family was full of praise for the teenager's friends on the beach, lifesavers, paramedics and doctors.

Dr Digby de Villiers, a surgeon, said however, there had been an increase in shark attacks. In recent times, there had been three.

Jay Mitchell, 17, a fellow surfer who saw the attack on JP and then pulled him out of the water, said he had gone back into the water, but not in Muizenberg.

"I am too scared," he said.

After the attack, paramedics worked on the teenager's heart for 20 minutes after he went into cardiac failure.

It took doctors four days to stabilise his condition, said physician Derek Miller.

Because of the extended shock, JP had a shortage of blood to the brain, causing it to swell, which created pressure. To ease this, JP was heavily sedated.

However, the pressure started easing on Wednesday and doctors were able to reduce sedation, said Miller.

Only in a few days will doctors be able to determine whether JP has had any brain damage.

- Die Burger