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7 months ago
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An Argentinian backpacker who almost lost his foot in a shark attack has brushed it off, saying he had 'the real Australian experience, mate'.
Agustin Sanchez, 26, felt a tug on his foot while he was paddling by himself at the Bombie Surfing Spot near Exmouth in Western Australia on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking about his ordeal from hospital on Monday, Mr Sanchez said he saw a tiger shark swim away which was between one or two metres long.
He said he panicked at first, fearing his bloody foot could attract more sharks, but then he breathed deeply to calm down as he made his way back to shore.
Agustin Sanchez, 26, felt a tug on his foot while he was paddling by himself at the Bombie Surfing Spot near Exmouth in Western Australia on Saturday afternoon
'With the adrenaline, I didn't feel anything,' he told The West Australian.
'The first few minutes were full of paranoia, fearing I could attract more sharks. The blood was touching the water; I thought it had taken a chunk of the board.'
The tourist said he initially thought he had lost his toe but after realising it was still there he immediately began laughing.
A friend who had watched the terrifying moment unfold through binoculars on the beach had to convince him to go to the hospital.
Mr Sanchez simply wanted to disinfect the wound with alcohol and then return to the beach to watch the sunset.
He was eventually admitted to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth, where he had surgery on three severed tendons on Sunday.
The Argentinian backpacker said he initially thought he had lost his toe but after realising it was still there he immediately began laughing
Mr Sanchez is expected to be discharged from hospital on Tuesday but he will be monitored for the next two weeks to ensure the wound does not get infected
'I'm so grateful I didn't lose my toe... I'm so lucky; something is protecting me, I think,' Mr Sanchez said.
'I was really lucky; he could have kept chasing me. I thought with all the blood, more of them would come.'
Mr Sanchez had had only been in Exmouth for 10 days before the ordeal.
He shared a photo of himself and his injured foot on social media but brushed it off, saying he's 'still happy and alive in paradise'.
Mr Sanchez is expected to be discharged from hospital on Tuesday but he will be monitored for the next two weeks to ensure the wound does not get infected.
He said his encounter with the predator has not deterred him from getting back into the water.
English (US)