Tobago shark attack Brit stable but with serious injuries

by Mick the Ram

The wife of a British man who was seriously injured in a dramatic shark attack on the Caribbean island of in Tobago is “aware of what is happening” and “able to communicate” as he recovers from his shocking ordeal.

Peter Smith, a 64-year-old from Hertfordshire, was subjected to a vicious and frenzied encounter with a bull shark on Friday 26 April, in which he received terrible injuries to his stomach, leg, arm and hand.

His spouse Jo, revealed her husband remains in intensive care in Scarborough General Hospital, but his condition is now described as stable.

The shark in question which was said to be between eight and ten feet in length, is still being hunted.

Shocking injuries

The tourist was just 10 metres from the shoreline at Courland Bay on the north coast when the shark struck. He suffered damage to his left arm and leg, puncture wounds to the abdomen and injuries to his right hand, the full extent of which are still being evaluated.

Heavily sedated

Mrs Smith explained how Peter had undergoing surgery and was now under heavy medication. She added that medics were now deciding the “future course of treatment” with much dependant upon how he responds initially.

He is however inevitably going to be facing further major surgery for his life-changing injuries.

Friends fight with the shark

She was keen to place on record her thanks to everyone who assisted at the scene, especially the brave “two friends” who remained in the water during the attack to “battle” with the shark and very probably saved his life.

In addition, the naturally shaken Brit wanted to thank “the wonderfully kind people of Tobago for all their help and support”.

Still a rare occurrence

Several beaches and coastal areas were closed. A 10,000 US dollar bounty was put up for anyone who could capture the shark, but this was later retracted.

Last year, there were 69 unprovoked shark attacks and 22 provoked bites worldwide, along with 14 fatalities, according to the Florida-based International Shark Attack File.