Man survives shark attack

2008-05-11 09:53

Sydney - A swimmer was mauled by one of three marauding sharks at a remote Australian beach, but was in a stable condition Sunday after having surgery on an injured leg, officials said.

Jason Cull, 37, was swimming on Saturday at Middleton Beach in southwestern Australia when the shark, believed to be a white pointer, seized his left leg, said Tom Marron, a spokesperson for local surf lifesavers.

Marron said people at the beach noticed three sharks on Saturday, estimating their size at up to 5m.

Volunteer lifesaver Joanne Lucas leaped into the water to help Cull after swimmers at the beach started panicking when they saw the sharks, Marron said.

"She heard the cries and splashing and knew they needed assistance and just went straight in," Marron said.

"She got hold of the injured swimmer and brought him back to shore," he said. "There was a fairly comprehensive mauling of his left leg, lost a lot of his calf, severe lacerations."

Cull was in a stable condition after having surgery at a hospital in Albany, about 400km south of Perth, the capital of Western Australia state, a hospital spokesperson said, on customary condition of anonymity.

Middleton beach was closed.

There about 15 shark attacks a year in Australian waters - one of the highest rates in the world - but on average just over one attack per year is fatal.

Last month, a shark attacked and killed a 16-year-old surfer off Australia's eastern coast.

- AP