News / People
Man Survives Shark Attack After Being Partly Swallowed
An Australian abalone diver was lucky to be alive after he was able to free himself from the jaws of a Great White Shark on Tuesday.
Eric Nerhus had been diving with his son off Cape Howe on Australia’s southeast coast when the attack occurred. Nerhaus, 41, told rescue workers that he was head-first into the shark before he could manage to fight his way free. Using an abalone chisel, he jabbed at the head of the 10-foot predator who let him go before swimming off.
Nerhus’ 25-year-old son was able to pull him aboard their boat and return to land. He was airlifted to a local hospital and treated for a broken nose and bite marks around his chest.
Nerhus had been wearing a lead-weight vest used by abalone divers as a means of staying under water. It was the lead vest that Nerhus credits for saving his life. The vest absorbed the majority of the bite force applied by the shark.
His broken nose was a result of the shark crushing Nerhus’ mask while attempting to swallow him. It was after he felt himself being shaken that Nerhus knew he had been in the jaws of a shark.
