‘There was blood everywhere’ - Man bitten by shark off Waterford coast feared for his life
The incident occurred off the coast of Ardmore on Tuesday afternoon
A man who was bitten by a shark while fishing off the coast of County Waterford has said he feared for his life during the ordeal.
Sebastian Achim, who is from Romania but living in Dungarvan, has detailed his experience of being bitten after catching a shark off the coast of Ardmore on Tuesday.
Speaking to ‘All About Cork with Paul Byrne’, Mr Achim said: “So I finally managed to land my first blue shark after our trip.
“While I was admiring the catch, the catch just decided to lunge at my leg and grab onto my calf.
“It managed to rip part of my calf and it managed to do enough damage that we actually needed specialist services for it.”
He went on to admit that he feared for his life in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
“I was just scared for my life at some points. I was pretty calm because I am a calm person but I was just thinking I want to get home and hoping to get home safe.
“There were moments, yeah, where I was worried (that he wouldn’t make it) because the amount of blood that was there was more than everybody would actually expect.”
Mr Achim was angling for sharks on board a small vessel south of Ardmore when the incident happened at around 4:15pm on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said: “The Irish Coast Guard’s Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Dublin were alerted by a 999/112 call to an incident on board a small fishing vessel south of Ardmore, Co. Waterford.
“The report was that a male onboard the fishing vessel had a leg injury inflicted by a bite from a shark.”
A co-ordinated effort was conducted by Ballycotton RNLI all weather lifeboat, Youghal RNLI inshore lifeboat and the Irish Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 117.
“The male casualty was winched on board on rescue 117 and taken to Cork University Hospital and handed over into the care of the HSE.” concluded the spokesperson.
Eolan Walsh of the Ballycotten RNLI said: “This was a well-coordinated multi-agency response, with Ballycotton RNLI, Youghal RNLI and Rescue 117 working together to ensure that the casualty received urgent medical assistance as quickly and safely as possible.
“Our crew were pleased to be able to support the operation and remain on scene while the casualty was transferred for emergency treatment and we wish the casualty a full recovery.”