Peter Smith is 'able to Communicate' Following the Tobago Shark Attack

A British man’s wife has stated that he is “aware of what is happening” and “able to communicate” following a horrific shark attack in Tobago.

On Friday morning, Peter Smith, 64, was attacked in Courland Bay while on the Caribbean island with his wife Jo and friends.

According to Mrs. Smith, two of the pals remained in the water to “battle the shark”.

Her husband is in stable condition at Scarborough General Hospital on the island, where he is receiving intensive care.

Mrs. Smith of Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, stated, “Peter has sustained damage to his left arm and leg, puncture wounds to the abdomen, and injuries to his right hand, the full extent of which are still being evaluated.”

She said that “the future course of treatment” is currently being decided by hospital medics.

The incident concerned a bull shark that was reported to be eight to ten feet (2.4 to 3 metres) long and two feet (60 cm) wide, according to the Tobago House of Assembly.

On Saturday, the organization’s executive secretary, Farley Augustine, announced that Mr. Smith had undergone finger reattachment following the attack, and that he had sustained “significant wounds” to one of his legs that would necessitate “extensive work”.

“As of 09:00 local time today, Peter is aware of what is happening and is able to communicate a little, although he is still under strong medication,” his spouse stated.

She expressed gratitude to “all those that assisted at the scene, and especially the two friends that remained in the water to battle the shark” .

Additionally, Mrs. Smith expressed her gratitude to “the wonderfully kind people of Tobago for all their help and support”.

Witness The manager of water activities at the neighbouring Starfish resort, Orion Jakerov, has stated that other swimmers were “physically trying to fight off the shark”.

“I don’t think they saw it,” he said to the regional network TTT Live. They weren’t out of their depth because the water was only waist deep for them.

“I believe they were just kind of relaxing with their backs to us. No one anticipated the shark’s approach.”

Following the incident, authorities blocked all seven beaches including the coastal length spanning around seven miles (11.3 km) between the town of Plymouth on the island’s northern coast to Store Bay on its western edge.

Anyone operating a boat was asked to proceed with caution as drones were being utilised to monitor the area.

Bull sharks, along with great white and tiger sharks, are among the shark species most likely to come into contact with and attack humans due to their aggressive nature and preference for shallow waters along tropical coastlines.

Mr. Augustine announced on Saturday that the $10,000 (£8,010) reward that had been given to anyone who could catch the shark and relocate it away from the beaches had been withdrawn.