A surfer has spoken of the moment he broke his leg in a 'horrific' accident in the water - after being 'attacked' by a seal. Nathan Phillips, 42, felt his own foot hit the back of his leg as it was snapped clean in two while surfing in Porthleven, Cornwall, on Friday.
The self-employed builder, who has been labelled a 'local surfing legend,' said the incident occurred as he was being harassed by a seal while paddling out into the waves. The creature was pulling his board's leash as some 'epic' waves crashed down on him, sending his board flying into his leg.
After being rescued by a friend and paddling half a mile back to land to be treated by medics, the 6ft 2in surfer was then also unable to fit inside a smaller than usual replacement Cornwall Air Ambulance sent to pick him up. Nathan, originally from Wales, suffered an open fracture requiring a cocktail of antibiotics to treat after the wound was left in “stinking” water while waiting for an ambulance.
