STRUGGLE WITH SHARK

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16434, 30 January 1919, Page 8

STRUGGLE WITH SHARK

: —♦ SWIMMER GRAVELY INJURED. . A sensational straggle %vith a shark ' occurred off the Newcastle beach on the 17th inst, when one of the monsters, measuring between 12ft and 14ft, swam to within 20 yards of the dry sand on Newcastle beach, and in 3ft of water, among a crowd of about 400 surfers, attacked and seriously injured a bather, Mr Douglas Arkell, aged 19 years. As Arkoll was entering the surf one of liis companions, Roy Shaw, pointed to an object lying on the sand in the wator just in front of them, and said, "Look out. there's a shark." Arkell and the others laughed, and then dived. A second later Arkell rose to the surface struggling violently, and calling out for help. Thinking he was joking, liis mates paid no heed, but later, seeing that he was plunging in bloodstained water, they rushod to his assistance. The first to reach him was Harold Bay, a returned soldier, and th«v holder of a Military Medal. With Shaw, A. Gallagher, and V. Taylor, Bay fought the shark, and after a strugglei succeeded in tearing the unfortunate swimmer from the monster's jaws. It made another snap and then swam away. Arkell- was at once removed to the Newcastle Hospital, where on admission it was found tnat his left leg was practically torn away from the knee, and had to be amputated about the knee. His left arm -was deeply lacerated, the flesh being laid bare to the bone, and upon his body were inflicted deep lacer- , ations. _ i Arkell is the captain of the Newcastle! Surf Club, and holder of its championship. He was a strong and fearless swimmer, and has the Record of having performed the greatest nnmber of 1 roscues on the beach during the season. He is a nenhew 'of Mr W. T. Dick, M L.C.. and Alderman G. Dick, and recently had a brother killed at the war. j