Surfer bitten by shark off the coast of California airlifted to safety by coast guard after 'truly terrifying situation'
A shark reportedly bit a male surfer off the coast of Southern California on Saturday, December 21, prompting the Los Angeles coast guard to airlift him to the hospital.
"At approximately 3.15 pm, a good Samaritan aboard the Jean Marie notified Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles Long Beach watchstanders of a 37-year-old man who had been bitten by a shark while surfing near Santa Rosa Island," the US Coast Guard said in a press release.
Authorities added that the call notified them that a tourniquet had been placed on the man's leg to prevent further blood loss.
Immediately, the Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco deployed Forward Operating Base Mugu MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and a Coast Guard Station Channel Islands Harbor boat crew with an embarked Ventura County paramedic was dispatched to aid the injured man.
In a video uploaded by the USCG on their official Twitter page, a man wearing a full-body wet suit and sitting inside an airlifting basket can be seen hoisted up by a rescue helicopter.
A white tourniquet can be seen around his right leg. The name of the hurt male surfer, who was transferred to the Santa Barbara Airport where emergency technicians were on standby, was not released by the coast guard.
Coast Guard helicopter crew from Air Station San Francisco FOB Mugu medevacs shark bite victim to saftey and transports him to Santa Barbara Airport where EMTs awaited. pic.twitter.com/zyDewiQWpU
— USCG Los Angeles (@USCGLosAngeles) December 22, 2019
"Coast Guard helicopter crew from Air Station San Francisco FOB Mugu medevacs shark bite victim to safety and transports him to Santa Barbara Airport where EMTs awaited," the coast guard captioned the video.
"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," he added.
According to the press release, the patient was reported to be in a stable condition No other details about the nature of his injury were released.