Man Bitten by Shark in Terrifying Incident Says the Animal Was ‘Right’ to Have Attacked Him

A man has spoken out about a terrifying encounter with a shark that left him with serious injuries while fishing off the coast of County Waterford, Ireland. Sebastian Achim, who has since undergone surgery, expressed his perspective on the incident, insisting that he does not blame the shark for its actions.

The incident occurred on 11 August while Achim and his fishing group were on a boat near Ardmore. They set out with the intention of catching, tagging, and releasing sharks as part of a research initiative. Achim, an experienced angler, managed to hook a blue shark but was suddenly bitten on the calf as he admired it.

Describing the moment leading up to the attack, Achim recounted, “I was just admiring the fish itself when it lunged at me in a millisecond.” He believed he was maintaining a cautious distance of approximately 1.6 feet from the shark’s tail, a gap he thought would ensure his safety.

After the bite, Achim’s immediate concern was the well-being of the shark. Despite his injury, he prioritised returning the creature to the water. “We just threw him back in the water; we didn’t manage to tag him. We didn’t want the fish to be more panicked than that,” he said. Reflecting on the encounter, Achim noted, “I cannot say if it was a deliberate attack, but the fish is in the right anyway. We took it out of the water and the fish was acting on its survival instinct.”

Following the injury, Achim tied a rope above the wound to stem the bleeding as the crew contacted emergency services. The boat was approximately three hours from shore, and Achim began losing consciousness shortly after the bite. “I didn’t think I was going to make it,” he revealed. “I couldn’t stand—every time I tried, I would pass out.”

While waiting for rescue, Achim focused on supporting his crew rather than succumbing to fear for himself. “It was scary, but I was not scared for myself. I was just thinking about my girlfriend, trying to hold myself strong so I didn’t scare the crew as well,” he explained.

Fortuitously, a rescue helicopter arrived and airlifted him to safety. Achim credited this timely response for saving his life, stating, “I was very lucky to get back okay, only because of the helicopter. I don’t think I would have made it because I lost too much blood.”

After arriving at Cork University Hospital, Achim underwent surgery to address extensive injuries to his leg. Medical professionals informed him that he had lost skin and tissue, and that skin grafts would be necessary for recovery. Initially, he was unaware of the severity of his injuries due to adrenaline masking his pain.

“It wasn’t until I got to the hospital that I realised the gravity of the situation. My adrenaline rush washed off, and then I felt the pain,” he said. Currently, Achim is unable to place weight on his injured leg and has experienced a loss of sensation, although he remains hopeful for a full recovery.

In a positive update shared on social media after his surgery on 13 August, Achim noted that the procedure had gone well and expressed optimism regarding his rehabilitation. He stated, “I hope to recover within a few weeks.”

The incident has raised discussions around shark behaviour and human interaction with these marine animals, particularly in light of the growing interest in sustainable fishing practices. The Irish Coast Guard has not yet commented publicly regarding the incident.

As Achim continues his recovery, his experience serves as a reminder of the realities of fishing and the respect that must be afforded to wildlife. His perspective on the encounter portrays a deep understanding of the balance between human activity and nature’s instinctive responses.