JAW ALL ALONE
FNQ shark attack survivor lashes out at university’s treatment
DR Mat Vickers has been with James Cook University for more than 15 years.
When the biologist was savaged by a shark while volunteering with colleagues at Lizard Island earlier this year, he thought the university would have his back, and assist him with medical expenses and his ongoing recovery.
But four months later, he feels he has been abandoned by JCU, and is struggling to piece his life back together.
Unable to work, he has established a GoFundMe page, which as of yesterday had tallied more than $30,000, well beyond a $20,000 target.
TRAUMA support was given to researchers who witnessed their colleague being attacked by a shark on the Great Barrier Reef – but not to the victim, as he was a volunteer.
Dr Mat Vickers has accused James Cook University of dodging its duty of care in assisting him with his medical expenses and his ongoing recovery, after he was bitten on his left arm by a grey reef shark near Lizard Island in January.
The biologist had volunteered to assist marine science colleagues in surveying the reef for signs of coral bleaching, over a month-long period.
About three weeks into the field trip, Dr Vickers and the group spent some of their spare time snorkelling at the nearby Cod Hole, a popular tourist dive site about 80km offshore, where they fed cod and red bass.
“During the excitement, one bass took some food, and swam past me,” he said.
“It all happened very quickly: out of the corner of my eye, a grey flash.
“A blur, really, and a 2m grey reef shark slammed into me.”
The shark grabbed his arm in its jaws, ripping open a 40cmx5cm long strip of flesh.
He was rescued by his colleagues, who administered first aid, and transferred him to Lizard Island Resort where a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane arrived a few hours later to rush him to Cairns Hospital.
Four months later, Dr Vickers, who is now recovering in Wollongong, feels he has been abandoned by the university where he has worked for more than 15 years.
JCU’s insurer has compensated him $555.44 towards physiotherapy, but he claims the university has refused to pay any more. “The people who were staff on the trip were offered WorkCover-type support for the trauma of seeing their mate get bitten by a shark, and various counselling and therapy sessions,” he said.
“I wouldn’t take any of that away from them. But at the same time, they’ve turned to the person who’s been bitten, and said: ‘You’re a volunteer, you’re not our problem – get out of here.’ ”
Unable to work, he has established a GoFundMe page, which as of yesterday had tallied more than $30,000, well beyond a $20,000 target.
A JCU spokesman said WorkCover had assessed the incident and found Dr Vickers was not an employee of the university, therefore not entitled to WorkCover.
“Workplace Health and Safety Queensland were also notified of the incident, made inquiries, and found no further action was required,” he said.
He said despite the attack occurring during a non-authorised university activity, JCU had provided support to Dr Vickers, including the option of trauma counselling.
But Dr Vickers said that option was offered by a psychological assessor, claiming they were merely preparing a defence case for the university rather than looking after his best interests.