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A VICTORIAN man is lucky to be alive after surviving a shark attack at Bells Beach yesterday. The 25-year-old surfer suffered puncture wounds to his left calf and a major gash to a bone under his knee.
Peter Galvin, of Torquay, was waiting for a wave with a friend about 100m offshore at surf spot Winki Pop, when he was attacked about 7pm. Sen-Constable Lisa Kearney, of Torquay police, said the shark attacked Mr Galvin from behind.
"The shark has grabbed his leg by the calf and taken a pretty nasty bite out of it," Sen-Constable Kearney said. "He's very lucky he wasn't pulled off his board. It was an extremely large, deep bite. He's one very lucky man to be alive."
Mr Galvin, formerly of Yarraville, was helped to shore by his friend. English backpackers then applied pressure on the wound until paramedics arrived. He was treated by paramedics then flown by air ambulance to Royal Melbourne Hospital where he was in a serious but stable condition last night.
Peter Galvin's bloodstained surfboard :
photo courtesy Herald Sun
