Scots schoolboy injured in holiday shark attack

Swim shoes blunted bites from predator

A Scots schoolboy survived a ‘Jaws’ style shark attack… thanks to his rubber swimming shoes blunting the fish’s bite.

Shane McConnell from Edinburgh suffered serious injuries to both legs when a bull shark attacked him in a harbour on Bimini Island, in the Bahamas.

Doctors who treated him believe he could have suffered much more serious life-threatening injuries if he had not been wearing tough neoprene swimming shoes, which absorbed half the impact of the shark’s razor-sharp teeth.

Despite the protection of the thick rubber, Shane had to have 53 stitches inserted in his wounds and was given injections of powerful painkillers.

He now faces being left physically and emotionally scarred for life by his ordeal.

The 12-year-old told how he cried for help when he saw the deadly predator in the water beside him after he tripped and fell into the sea.

He said: “I was walking along the marina when it happened. I put my hand over my eyes to block the sun out because it was so bright, and accidentally tripped on a metal cleat and fell into the sea.

“I was scared, because I knew there were sharks around – I had seen the shadow of one earlier that day.

“I knew I had to get to the ladder, but my lucky cap had flown off my head and floated away.

“I swam to grab it and, when I was swimming back to the ladder, I saw half a shark’s body come out of the water.

“I saw its tail and fin – it was big and it was grey. I was splashing a lot, and I think it thought I was food thrown in for it.”

He went on: “I shouted for help when I saw it, but then it disappeared under me.

“I felt it brush my hand – I thought it had missed me.”

As he made his escape with adrenaline surging though his body, he did not notice that the beast had circled round and sunk its teeth deep into his feet.

He said: “I swam to the ladder and climbed out. All the security men on the docks were suddenly surrounding me.

“They laid me down and wrapped white towels around both my feet.

“I wasn’t in pain. I couldn’t feel anything, but my legs were shaking a lot.”

Shane’s body, as is the case with many shark attack victims, had gone into shock – blocking the pain of his injuries.

Despite the terrifying attack, the young survivor says he still wants to realise his dream of becoming a marine biologist.

Pictures: Vic Rodrick. Shane’s feet were shredded by the bites, top, but are now starting to heal, right.