Diver Survives Being Swallowed By Shark

[Willowdared]

Diver survives shark attack


Associated Press in Sydney
Wednesday January 24, 2007
The Guardian

An Australian diver escaped an attack by a 3-metre (10ft) great white shark by poking the creature's eye after the shark virtually swallowed his head.

Eric Nerhus, 41, a diver who fishes for abalones, was flown to hospital with injuries to his head, body and left arm from the attack off Cape Howe, near Eden, 250 miles south of Sydney.

The shark grabbed Mr Nerhus by the head, crushing his face mask and breaking his nose, said Dennis Luobikis, a fellow diver who saw the attack. "He was actually bitten by the head down - the shark swallowed his head."

The shark came back for a second bite, clenching its jaws around Mr Nerhus' torso and leaving deep lacerations in his side, he added.
The diver wrestled free of the shark's jaws, and later told rescue workers he had poked the shark in the eye, a worker from the local rescue service said.

Mr Nerhus was pulled from the water by his 25-year-old son and rushed to hospital, suffering from blood loss and shock.

"Eric is a tough boy. He's super fit," said Mr Luobikis. "But I'd say that would test anyone's resolve, being a fish lunch."

Shark attacks are relatively common in Australian waters, with an average of 15 a year. Just over one attack a year proves fatal.

[Piggybank Cop]

Aussies will fight anything.

[resdepbrian]

You know you're having a bad day on the water when:

A. A shark tries to swallow you head first.


B.