Dramatic encounter off Kangaroo Island
On Kangaroo Island off the southern coast of Australia, an incident occurred on Tuesday that would make even experienced surfers’ blood run cold: 57-year-old surfer and tour guide Lee Berryman was attacked multiple times by a shark while surfing in the well-known surf zone “The Sewer” in D’Estrees Bay. As Berryman had just ridden a wave and was paddling back into the line-up, he suddenly felt a powerful bite on his left thigh.
Despite the shock and further bites, he managed to fend off the shark with loud shouts and blows to its snout. “I screamed, showed my teeth, and hit it,” Berryman later described his reaction to the predator, which was believed to be a bronze whaler shark.
With last strength to the shore and to the hospital
Severely injured but with remarkable willpower, Berryman fought his way back to the rocks on his kneeboard, even though the shark returned several times. “It felt like half an hour, but it was probably only four minutes,” he reported. He even witnessed a seal diving behind him during the attack, seemingly to distract the shark.
After reaching the shore, Berryman drove himself to the hospital in Kingscote – an extraordinary feat, considering he suffered three deep bite wounds on his leg and later needed about 50 stitches. According to police, Berryman’s condition was serious but not life-threatening. Experts, however, urge caution: bronze whaler sharks can weigh up to 300 kilograms and grow over three metres long; while they are not generally considered aggressive towards humans, the incident shows that dangerous mix-ups can occur – especially when, as in this case, seals are nearby.
The incident caused shock in the local surfing community, as such shark attacks are rare in South Australia, though not unheard of. Authorities warned other beachgoers and surfers about further danger in the region. Lee Berryman is now on the road to recovery – and is unlikely to forget his bravery any time soon.
