British tourists mauled by a shark while snorkelling near Australia's Great Barrier Reef (photos)

Two British tourists were mauled by a shark while they were snorkelling near the Great Barrier Reef in eastern Australia. Alistair Raddon, 28, from Southampton, had his right foot bitten off in the attack while 22-year-old Danny Maggs, from Plymouth, suffered severe lacerations to his right calf.  The shark attack happened at 10.17am on Tuesday, October 29, while the pair were swimming in the ocean off Hook Island, part of Queensland's Whitsunday Islands which is a popular spot for tourists.   Both men were rushed back to shore and driven to meet a rescue helicopter, which then airlifted them to Mackay Hospital, where they are in serious but stable condition. The attack happened in Hook Passage, which is about 11km from Cid Harbour, where two women were attacked and one man was killed by a shark last year.  According to DailyMail UK, a spokesman for the Queensland ambulance service said the pair were in "good spirits" and discussing the rugby world cup during the journey, but added that "the impact of the attack is not lost on them".  Witnesses said the pair, who were taking part in a ZigZag day cruise with around 20 others, were playing and thrashing in the ocean when the shark bit one of them, then returned to bite the other.  Alistair Raddon The men were saved by two international paramedics on board the tour boat, who gave them "immediate and substantial first aid" by applying pressure to their wounds until the boat could to Abel Point Marina at Airlie Beach. Danny Maggs From there, ambulance crews continued to treat the tourists before they were transported to the town of Proserpine, around 10 miles away, where they were picked up by a rescue helicopter. They were then airlifted to Mackay Base Hospital where they remain in a serious but stable condition.   An official at Arlie Beach said the other tourists were given food and water on their return and offered counselling.  The post British tourists mauled by a shark while snorkelling near Australia's Great Barrier Reef (photos) appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.

source http://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2019/10/british-tourists-mauled-by-a-shark-while-snorkelling-near-australias-great-barrier-reef-photos-2.html