US surfer loses arm in shark attack

CatoCooper13 · 11-01-2003, 03:02 PM

AP - A shark bit off the left arm of a 13-year-old competitive surfer while she was lying on her board in clear water, Hawaiian authorities said.

Bethany Hamilton was attacked on Kauai's North Shore, authorities said. There was a single bite, and then the shark disappeared.

"There was no warning," said Kauai Fire Department Battalion Chief Bob Kaden.

The teenager was surfing with her best friend and her friend's father, who immediately applied a tourniquet using a surf leash. Hamilton's mother, Cheri, said the move saved her life.

Tom Hamilton said his daughter was conscious and alert at a hospital. She lost her left arm just below the shoulder. Her arm had not been recovered.

The shark took a 40-by-20-centimetre chunk out of the surfboard, suggesting the fish was 3.6 to 4.5 metres long, Kaden said.

It was the fourth shark attack in Hawaii this year. Randy Honebrink, spokesman for the state Shark Task Force, said Hawaii averages three or four attacks annually.

Hamilton had already secured sponsorships and was expected to go pro, according to the Hanalei Surf Online Web site.

©AAP 2003

***VamPyroX*** · 11-01-2003, 09:03 PM

Whoa...!

PurpleAngel70 · 11-02-2003, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaterRats13

AP - A shark bit off the left arm of a 13-year-old competitive surfer while she was lying on her board in clear water, Hawaiian authorities said.

Bethany Hamilton was attacked on Kauai's North Shore, authorities said. There was a single bite, and then the shark disappeared.

"There was no warning," said Kauai Fire Department Battalion Chief Bob Kaden.

The teenager was surfing with her best friend and her friend's father, who immediately applied a tourniquet using a surf leash. Hamilton's mother, Cheri, said the move saved her life.

Tom Hamilton said his daughter was conscious and alert at a hospital. She lost her left arm just below the shoulder. Her arm had not been recovered.

The shark took a 40-by-20-centimetre chunk out of the surfboard, suggesting the fish was 3.6 to 4.5 metres long, Kaden said.

It was the fourth shark attack in Hawaii this year. Randy Honebrink, spokesman for the state Shark Task Force, said Hawaii averages three or four attacks annually.

Hamilton had already secured sponsorships and was expected to go pro, according to the Hanalei Surf Online Web site.

©AAP 2003

Sad for that to happen. What happen to the girl now?

Fly Free · 11-02-2003, 12:38 PM

poor girl

Kai Onca · 11-02-2003, 01:33 PM

poor shark

CatoCooper13 · 11-02-2003, 05:57 PM

I dunno...I had a look in the news section and there were no updates on what's happened with the girl. I just hope she's alright as well. I know she has gone through a traumatic period and hope she'll recover from it and pick up the pieces of her life and move on as much as she can with life.

11-03-2003, 02:38 AM

Ohh, Java better keep Lilo out of the water!

Ziusudra · 11-08-2003, 02:26 AM

Ouch! Now that's put me off swimming at the beach. Wonder why it didn't go on and attack her. I would have thought sharks were attracted to blood and so they would have kept eating especially if she was caught unawares. Strange but definitely very scary.

DeafSCUBA98 · 11-08-2003, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziusudra

Ouch! Now that's put me off swimming at the beach. Wonder why it didn't go on and attack her. I would have thought sharks were attracted to blood and so they would have kept eating especially if she was caught unawares. Strange but definitely very scary.

maybe she had a small cut before the shark attack. who knows

11-01-2003, 03:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
CatoCooper13 Am attached and in LOVE! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sonoma County, California Posts: 6,418	US surfer loses arm in shark attack AP - A shark bit off the left arm of a 13-year-old competitive surfer while she was lying on her board in clear water, Hawaiian authorities said. Bethany Hamilton was attacked on Kauai's North Shore, authorities said. There was a single bite, and then the shark disappeared. "There was no warning," said Kauai Fire Department Battalion Chief Bob Kaden. The teenager was surfing with her best friend and her friend's father, who immediately applied a tourniquet using a surf leash. Hamilton's mother, Cheri, said the move saved her life. Tom Hamilton said his daughter was conscious and alert at a hospital. She lost her left arm just below the shoulder. Her arm had not been recovered. The shark took a 40-by-20-centimetre chunk out of the surfboard, suggesting the fish was 3.6 to 4.5 metres long, Kaden said. It was the fourth shark attack in Hawaii this year. Randy Honebrink, spokesman for the state Shark Task Force, said Hawaii averages three or four attacks annually. Hamilton had already secured sponsorships and was expected to go pro, according to the Hanalei Surf Online Web site. ©AAP 2003 __________________ Til I hold my bub in my arms.

11-01-2003, 09:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
*VamPyroX* bloody phreak from hell Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Hell Posts: 27,844	Whoa...! __________________ Check out my city... CLICK HERE! (If you already visited yesterday, visit again today!)

11-02-2003, 05:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
CatoCooper13 Am attached and in LOVE! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sonoma County, California Posts: 6,418	I dunno...I had a look in the news section and there were no updates on what's happened with the girl. I just hope she's alright as well. I know she has gone through a traumatic period and hope she'll recover from it and pick up the pieces of her life and move on as much as she can with life. __________________ Til I hold my bub in my arms.

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11-02-2003, 12:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
Fly Free Just me Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Wherever i want to be LOL Posts: 9,101	poor girl

11-02-2003, 01:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
Kai Onca Save the RAINFOREST Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Wandering through the Mist of Time Posts: 913	poor shark

11-03-2003, 02:38 AM	#7 (permalink)
Deaf258 Guest Posts: n/a	Ohh, Java better keep Lilo out of the water!

11-08-2003, 02:26 AM	#8 (permalink)
Ziusudra The Cammy Fighter Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Gold Coast, Australia Posts: 771	Ouch! Now that's put me off swimming at the beach. Wonder why it didn't go on and attack her. I would have thought sharks were attracted to blood and so they would have kept eating especially if she was caught unawares. Strange but definitely very scary.