LOS ANGELES — A surfer attacked by a shark off the coast of Southern California called his tale of survival a “Christmas miracle” that he hopes will inspire others who are going through tough times.
Adam Coons, 37, was surfing his last wave of the day near Santa Rosa Island, one of the Channel Islands, on Saturday afternoon when the shark suddenly emerged.
“It felt like I just got blasted by a torpedo,” Coons told ABC News. “I didn’t feel the bite from the adrenaline and then I was immediately (submerged) underwater getting thrashed.”
ABC interviewed Coons and his friend and former lifeguard Jeremy Howard, who was aboard a boat nearby and pulled the surfer to safety before applying a tourniquet to his leg.
"I just said, 'We're going to lay you down right now and I'm going to tie you off on your upper right leg to stop the bleeding,'" Howard told ABC.
The pair said they thought it was a 15-foot (4.57-meter) great white shark. Coons' wetsuit shows puncture marks and his surfboard was destroyed.
The Coast Guard hoisted Coons up from Howard's boat into a helicopter so he could be flown to safety. Coons said he is expected to make a full recovery.
"This was truly a terrifying and horrific situation, and I am so happy and grateful to be alive," he said, surrounded by the stuffed shark toys friends gave him.
RELATED
Navy Times editor’s note: The Coast Guard told Navy Times in an email that Sector Los Angeles watchstanders received a 3:15 p.m. Saturday message from the boat Jean Marie that a surfer had been bitten by a shark.
They scrambled a MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco-deployed Forward Operating Base Mugu and a Coast Guard Station Channel Islands Harbor boat crew with an embarked Ventura County paramedic.
Within an hour, the helicopter crew had hoisted the main into the aircraft and was flying him to the Santa Barbara Airport, where emergency medical technicians were waiting to treat him.
"This was the best possible outcome to a truly terrifying situation,” said Lt. Benjamin McIntyre-Coble, the Coast Guard Sector-Los Angeles Long Beach command duty officer. “This individual was fortunate to be with a buddy who was able to communicate their position to the Coast Guard. We are all happy that he will be able to be with his family in time for the holidays.”
Coons is reported to be in stable condition, according to the Coast Guard.
