Young fisherman airlifted to hospital after shark attack off coast of Cornwall

Lucia Binding14 May 2018

A British fisherman was airlifted to hospital with leg injuries after being bitten by a shark off the coast of Cornwall.

Max Berryman, 21, was attacked by the Porbeagle shark, a relative of a Great White, after it was hauled aboard a fishing boat on Sunday morning.

The young fisherman’s leg wound was quickly sterilised and dressed by crew of the Govenek of Ladram before receiving medical attention from HM Coastguard.

He was rushed to hospital in Truro by helicopter at around 8.15am from the vessel that was miles from shore.

Coastguards confirmed the shark attack happened on the deck of the Govenek of Ladram approximately 110 miles west of the Isles of Scilly after it left port at Newlyn, Cornwall.

Mr Berryman has since undergone surgery and will remain in hospital for a few days, though the extent of his injuries remain unknown.

Pedn Vounder, Cornwall

Paramedic winchman Julian 'Bungi' Williams said: "The crew had done a really good job of dressing the wounds before we arrived which meant that we were able to save time getting the casualty to Treliske hospital.

"We understand that the porbeagle shark was on the deck when the incident happened but as the crew were attempting to put it back in the sea one of the fishermen was bitten in the process."

It is understood that Mr Berryman has been part of the boat’s crew for around two years. Just last year, he was pictured with a Porbeagle that had also got caught in the nets.

The Porbeagle is a cousin of the Great White shark and can grow to weigh over 500lbs or 36 stone. It is one of the most common types of shark spotted by British fishermen.

Alex Grieg, Senior Maritime Operations Officer for HM Coastguard, today praised the actions of the brave crew onboard at the time of the mauling.

He said: "Thanks to the efforts of the crew onboard and their swift actions in treating the wounds and contacting us, we were able to arrange the evacuation of the crew member promptly and get him to hospital," Alex said.

"We understand the fisherman is still in hospital and wish him a speedy recovery."

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