Sydney, August 17: Joanne Lucas, winner of Australia’s top bravery award for dragging a shark attack victim back to shore, admitted to fresh respect for the big fish after her big day in Albany, Western Australia, in May.
“I actually scan the ocean before I go in now,” the mother-of-three said.
Despite blood in the water and the 4-metre great white shark still circling, Lucas swam 80 metres to fellow surfer Jason Cull.
“It was a completely instinctive thing,” the 54-year-old said. “I didn’t think ‘There’s a shark out there, maybe I shouldn’t go out there.’ I just thought, ‘I’ve got to get this guy out and I’ve got to get him back in.'”
Cull, whose leg was ripped open from his ankle to his knee, has made a full recovery.
–Agencies–