A teenage surfer who was bitten by a shark on the leg south of Perth but somehow managed to paddle to shore has vowed to return to the water.
Zachary Hlaing, 15, takes to the water most days but he won’t ever forget this morning’s surf with a friend.
“I was just standing still, waiting for a wave to come and felt something latch on to my leg and then I just seen a big tail just flap up and then a big splash and then it let go,” he said.
Jay Reeves was also catching waves at Pyramids Beach off Dawesville in Mandurah about 5.30am.
“He was just in the water, we were all sat probably like within a two-metre triangle and he just screamed, ‘I’ve been bit by a shark’ and was then just the most calm, collected person you’ve ever met,” Reeves said.
“He’s just lifted his foot out of the water and he’s just got blood dripping off his foot.”
Adrenaline kicked in, blocking the pain.
“I was just staying chill, trying not to panic or anything,” Zach said.
The 15-year-old paddled back to shore with his two fellow surfers.
“It was sort of like a bit of a hobble; he couldn’t walk fine – he was hopping,” Reeves said.
“That’s why I gave him a piggyback.
“Wrapped him up in a towel, got him in the car, threw the surfboards and Maurice in the back of the wagon and just pretty much got him straight up to the hospital.”
The teen managed to walk into the emergency department at Peel Health Campus, where an X-ray found part of the shark’s tooth or a bone fragment.
He will need surgery but is in good spirits.
“It hurts a little bit, but it’s not that bad – not as bad as I would have thought,” Zach said.
The species of shark is yet to be identified but it’s thought to be about three metres long.
Zach said the ideal wouldn’t stop him getting back in the water as soon as his leg healed.
“Maybe not the same spot for a while but as soon as I can I’ll be out there,” he said.
