Swimmer cried out ‘blood-curdling screams’ as he was mauled by shark at popular South Australian beach
A man cried out in “blood-curdling screams” as he was viciously mauled by a shark at a popular South Australian beach Thursday morning, according to reports.
Richard Vinall miraculously survived the harrowing attack after the shark clamped its jaw around his thigh during an early morning swim with his partner at Port Noarlunga Beach near Adelaide, 9 News reported.
Beachgoers were immediately evacuated from the water as emergency responders rushed to save the wounded swimmer — who could be heard wailing in agony under the surface.
Vinall’s partner, who had returned to shore before he was savagely attacked, jumped right back into the perilous surf — known for swimming, diving and snorkeling — when she realized the terror that had erupted.
“Any shark attack like that, you worry cause of the blood loss,” Warwick Armstrong told the outlet.
“Naturally, we’re all lifesavers here and we care about the community and want to make sure people are safe.”
Vinall, who is believed to be in his 40s, was treated at the scene behind a large white sheet before he was transported to a local hospital.
He remains in critical but stable condition, the outlet reported.
The traumatic ordeal comes just two years after Bridgette O’Shannessy, then 32, was mauled in the head and face by a pointer shark on the same beach.
Officials, who are still on the hunt for the predator, linked the increased shark sightings to growing algae in the water — but some locals believe swimming in the coastal area isn’t worth the risk.
“I don’t want to go in,” Sonya Horrocks told the outlet.
“I love the idea of going in, but I’m not going to go in.”
