Survivor’s leg saved
Shark attack victim recovering
DOCTORS in Townsville have saved the life and leg of Hinchinbrook shark attack survivor Rick Bettua.
Mr Bettua’s wife Angela, in a brave social media post to friends, confirmed that he had been discharged from Townsville University Hospital on Friday, almost three weeks after the near-fatal attack on October 25.
Mr Bettua, a former US Navy master diver, was delivered to the Dungeness boat ramp that day with no pulse after his upper left leg was mauled by a bull shark while diving in the Great Barrier Reef. He was attacked at the northern end of Britomart Reef, east of Cardwell Island.
Friend Peter Kocica was one of three men who saved Mr Bettua.
Mr Kocica saw the bull shark come across the coral from the deep and bite Mr Bettua a couple of times on the upper leg before he was able to help the stricken man into the boat.
Angela apologised to friends for not providing an update sooner, saying “the days have been spent getting into a routine with managing Mr Bettua’s pain and rehabilitation”.
“We had a bandage change yesterday and everything is continuing to heal beautifully,” she said.
“He has been able to walk without crutches for short periods of time however his foot is still not working fully.
“Considering what he has gone through, we are so happy with his progress and so eternally grateful to all of you for your thoughts and prayers!”
The news Mr Bettua has begun rehabilitation and started to walk comes in stark contrast to scenes at the boat ramp as Queensland Ambulance Service medics and doctors fought to save his life.
It took 30-minutes to re-establish a pulse but Mr Bettua was eventually stabilised and flown to hospital.