Abalone Diver Survives Attack by Great White Shark
An abalone diver is recovering after being attacked by a great white shark that engulfed his head and shoulders before letting him go, the Coast Guard said.
David R. Miles, 38, was in stable condition Friday at Mendocino Coast Hospital in Ft. Bragg, a nursing supervisor said.
The attack occurred Thursday afternoon about 70 yards off Westport Union Landing State Beach, about 10 miles north of Ft. Bragg, said Coast Guard spokesman Darrell Wilson.
“He was attacked by a great white. It swallowed his head and upper torso into his mouth down to below his shoulder blade line . . . and bit him and released him,” Wilson said.
Miles swam to shore, where state Department of Forestry administered first aid until a Coast Guard helicopter arrived to take him to the hospital.
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