A 31-year-old surfer in Northern California is recovering after a shark attack that left gruesome bites on his right thigh and leg.
Jared Trainor was knocked off his board during an outing to Centerville Beach, he told the Times-Standard newspaper in Humboldt County. The animal had his right leg and board clamped in its jaws, he said.
Underwater, the experienced surfer grabbed the attacker’s body with one hand and kicked at its head with his free leg until it let him go and swam away, he said. Trainor returned to the beach where another surfer called for help.
“I don’t remember the initial contact,” Mr Trainor said. “It kind of happened so quickly.”
Surgeons stapled shut his open wounds, which spanned nearly 48 centimetres or the length of the shark’s mouth. Photos show
Jared's sister Hayley has launched a GoFundMe appeal - which has raised more than $11,000 towards a goal of $50,000 in just three days - to pay for medical expenses. She wrote: "My brother, Jared Trainor was bit by a Great White shark yesterday while surfing at a local beach by himself. He suffered several wounds to the thigh but is lucky to be alive.
"He recently just got married to his wife Desiray last July and they could use all the help they can get with medical expenses as this will be a long recovery! He will also be off of work due to the recovery process. Keeping him, Desiray, and my nephew Elijah in my thoughts. You have a big community of support! Love you Jerry!"
In an update on October 6, Haley said: "Jared is home recovering! He’s SO lucky. He’s in pain but in good spirits!"
A photo shared by Haley as part of her GoFundMe appeal show huge gashes in Jared's surfboard.
Humboldt County has had 16 shark attacks since 1960, according to reports. In 2020, a kayaker narrowly escaped a great white shark in Humboldt County’s Shelter Cove.
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