Horrified onlookers have relived the moment a Brit was savagely attacked by a deadly bull shark. The 10ft monster is thought to have sunk its teeth into one of Peter Smith’s legs – and the father of two is said to have lost several fingers in the mauling.
Tonight, the retired IT worker, 64, was still in intensive care although his condition was described as stable. A local Caribbean hotelier told this newspaper: “He’s lucky to be alive.”
Mr Smith and other swimmers were in waist-deep water just 30ft from the shore of Tobago’s Turtle Beach when the shark struck at about 9am local time. Fellow British tourist Stephanie Wright said: “I saw a dorsal fin come out of the water and thought, ‘Oh my God, it’s a shark’.’’
Witness Orion Jakerov said: “They weren’t out of their depth. I think their backs were turned, they were lounging around and nobody saw the shark coming. Even while the shark was around and doing the attack, the other people were in the water and physically trying to fight off the shark.”
Mr Smith is receiving round-the-clock care at the island’s Scarborough General Hospital for his injuries. The victim, of Berkhamsted, Herts, was staying at the nearby all-inclusive Starfish Resort with his NHS worker wife Joanna, 62.
A receptionist said: “Mr Smith was a guest. Everyone is very traumatised. The beach and pool are closed. I am relieved he is alive. I hope he recovers soon.”
A week, all-inclusive with flights, at the resort – which is described as “the ideal retreat for sun-seeking families” – costs around £1,500 per person. Seven beaches have been closed and reef tours and scuba diving halted temporarily.
Bull sharks, known to stalk shallow waters, are considered to be as dangerous as great whites because of their aggressive tendencies. Female bulls are longer than the males and can grow to more than 11ft. Adult sharks typically weigh 200lb to 500lb.
The Tobagonian government’s Farley Augustine said: “Out of an abundance of caution, we are forced to temporarily close beaches: Plymouth, Courland Bay, Black Rock, Mt Irvine, Buccoo, Pigeon Point, Store Bay and all coastal areas in between. We’re doing drone reconnaissance, coastguard surveillance, and the Department of Fisheries is combing the area to ensure safety.”
Just two other shark attacks have been recorded in Trinidad and Tobago since 2004. A total of 10 people were killed in attacks globally last year and five in 2022. The Foreign Office is supporting the Smiths.