An Argentinian backpacker who almost lost a foot in a shark attack has played it down and said he had “the real Aussie experience, mate”.
Agustín Sánchez, 26, felt a strain on his foot while paddling alone at Bombie Surfing Spot near Exmouth in Western Australia on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking about his ordeal in hospital on Monday, Sanchez said he saw a tiger shark measuring between one and two meters long swimming around.
He said he panicked at first, fearing his bloody foot would attract more sharks, but then took deep breaths to calm himself as he walked back to shore.
Agustín Sánchez, 26, felt a strain on his foot while paddling alone at Bombie Surfing Spot near Exmouth in Western Australia on Saturday afternoon.
“With the adrenaline I didn’t feel anything,” he said. Western Australia.
‘The first few minutes were filled with paranoia, fearing we might attract more sharks. The blood touched the water; I thought he took a piece of the board.
The tourist said he initially thought he had lost his toe, but when he realized it was still there, he immediately started laughing.
A friend who had watched the terrifying moment through binoculars on the beach had to convince him to go to the hospital.
Sánchez simply wanted to disinfect the wound with alcohol and then return to the beach to watch the sunset.
He was eventually admitted to Perth’s Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, where he underwent surgery on three severed tendons on Sunday.
The Argentine backpacker said he initially thought he had lost his toe, but when he realized it was still there, he immediately started laughing.
Sanchez is expected to be released from the hospital on Tuesday, but will be monitored for the next two weeks to ensure the wound does not become infected.
‘I’m so grateful I didn’t lose my toe… I’m so lucky; “I think something is protecting me,” said Mr. Sánchez.
‘I was very lucky; He could have continued chasing me. I thought with all the blood more would come.
Sanchez had only been in Exmouth for 10 days before the ordeal.
He shared a photo of himself and his injured foot on social media, but dismissed it, saying he is “still happy and living in paradise.”
Sanchez is expected to be released from the hospital on Tuesday, but will be monitored for the next two weeks to ensure the wound does not become infected.
He said his encounter with the predator did not stop him from returning to the water.