The family of Port Macquarie shark attack victim Toby Begg break their silence to reveal the full extent of his ‘life changing’ injuries
- Toby Begg’s family details injuries that changed his life
- A surfer was attacked by a shark in Port Macquarie, NSW
- Mr Begg tried to fight off the 4m long shark
The family of a surfer who suffered life-changing injuries in a horrific shark attack has provided an update on his condition.
Toby Begg, 44, was surfing at Lighthouse Beach, south of Port Macquarie, when he was bitten by a shark on Friday morning.
New South Wales Police said Mr Begg tried to wrestle the shark – believed to be a great white – which measured around 4m in length.
He remains in critical condition at John Hunter Hospital.
Her brother-in-law, Chris Lenihan, said her injuries were “extremely serious and life changing”, but doctors are still struggling to understand the full extent of the damage.
Toby Begg (right), 44, was attacked by a shark at Lighthouse Beach on Friday. Photo: provided
“We are at the very beginning and the extent of his injuries are being uncovered. However, he will require many surgeries and will have years of rehabilitation ahead of him,” he said. in a Facebook post on Saturday morning.
This skilled builder and business owner is the primary breadwinner for his young family, which includes his “loving partner” Tracy and their two children.
A GoFundMe to help the family with medical bills and the future cost of their traumatic injuries has already raised over $6,000.
Mr. Begg is in critical condition at John Hunter Hospital. Photo: GoFundMe
Mr Begg’s brother-in-law, Chris Lenihan, said his injuries were ‘extremely serious and life changing’, but doctors are still struggling to understand the full extent of the damage. Photo: Facebook/Supplied
Fire and Rescue Station NSW Port Macquarie offered their thoughts and prayers to the former firefighter on duty.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Toby Begg, former Port Macquarie duty firefighter, and his family after Toby was attacked by a shark while surfing at Lighthouse Beach yesterday,” they said in a post. on Facebook.
The search for the shark begins
Shark biologists examined photographs of the bite marks on the surfboard and determined that the shark responsible for the attack was likely a great white shark measuring between 3.8m and 4.2m.
No sharks matching that description have been spotted in nearby waters since the attack, a spokeswoman for the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries said.
Shark biologists assessed the damage to the board to determine the shark species involved. Photo: 7 News
Three great white sharks were caught on SMART battery lines in the area that day, including one at Lighthouse Beach. Photo: Google
However, a great white shark was detected by a shark listening station on Thursday.
Three other great white sharks were caught on SMART battery lines in the area that day, including one at Lighthouse Beach.
A surfer fought off a shark after horrific injuries
A teenage girl who witnessed the attack told 9 News that the man’s foot had been ‘ripped off’ and was ‘bleeding all over’.
“They were trying to talk to him, he was quiet, he was frozen,” she told NBN.
“They tried to tie her leg with the surfboard rope and poles to keep her straight.”
NSW Police said he was helped to land by other surfers “where a tourniquet was applied by witnesses”, including an off-duty doctor.
“Reports indicate that the man attempted to fight this shark for 30 seconds and then swam to shore where he realized he had sustained significant injuries to his lower leg,” said Chief Inspector Martin Burke to reporters.
A spokeswoman for NSW Ambulance said he suffered injuries to his lower leg and was first rushed to Port Macquarie Base Hospital before being transported by a Westpac rescue helicopter at John Hunter Hospital on Friday evening.
John Hunter Hospital has been contacted for comment.
