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SIGATOKA, Fiji -- Quick thinking by several surfers and intervention by a foreign nurse saved the life of a national surfing representative after a shark attacked him on Saturday evening.

Paul Chong Sue of Kulukulu in Sigatoka was out training with friends close to the Sigatoka River mouth when the shark attack took place.

The 21-year-old was trying to paddle out for a wave when the shark attacked him from beneath his surfboard. Fellow surfer, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu said Mr Chong Sue was still paddling out to catch a wave when the shark bit his arm at about 6pm.

"The shark came from below his board and bit his right arm," he said.

"It tried to pull him under but Paul fought back and managed to free his arm from the sharks grip," said Ratu Naiqama.

Ratu Naiqama said after he pulled his arm free, he called out to the other surfers for help. Ratu Naiqama said as soon as the surfers heard his call for help, everyone rushed to his aid.

"There were about 15 of us out at sea with him. We all surrounded him and started making our way back to the beach," he said.

"After the attack, the shark kept circling the area. Even though we thought that it was going to strike again, we did not pay much attention because we were rushing to get Paul onto the beach," Ratu Naiqama said.

He said fortunately, a nurse from Australia was also at the river mouth surfing and she helped us treat the wound before we took him to the Sigatoka Hospital. Mr Chong Sue was admitted at the Sigatoka Hospital before being transferred to the Lautoka Hospital for further examination.

When The Fiji Times visited the Lautoka Hospital yesterday, Mr Chong Sue was undergoing surgery.

Ratu Naiqama said even though doctors reassured them that everything would be all right they were anxious to see him after the surgery. A relative who did not wish to be named said Mr Chong Sue was finding it difficult to use his arm.

He said they would only find out whether Mr Chong Sue would be able to surf again after surgery.

Reader Comments

6 people have commented so far. add your comment

i loved your site i have never heard cool stuff great site!
     - danae · victoria · Jun 28, 2007 @ 11:24pm

it is a great site
     - Robert Rolin · Onalaska , Texas · Aug 3, 2007 @ 6:09pm

what kind of shark attacked the man
     - john madden · la,california · Apr 22, 2009 @ 7:59am

HPOE TO B THERE BEFORE THE FIRST OF THE YEAR. DIVING LOOKS COOL. CANT WAIT
     - ROBERT MCALLISTER · PHILLY, PA. USA · Jul 10, 2009 @ 9:21pm

feel sorry for paul but as a resident of fiji its a must that sharks attack when some harms are ever done to them previously, else they dont harm fiji people.
     - dennis · suva, fiji · Jul 29, 2009 @ 7:17pm

FEEL SORRY FOR PAUL AND ALSO IT IS SO INTERESTING TO SEE HOW SHARKS ATTACK HUMANS.
     - WENDY · LAUTOKA,FIJI · May 10, 2010 @ 3:02pm