Horror pictures show bloody aftermath after lifeguard bitten by a 5ft shark during training exercise off US coast | The Sun
HORRIFIC photos show the bloody aftermath after a lifeguard was attacked by a 5-foot shark during a training exercise last week.
Zach Gallo, 33, has revealed how he used his bare hands to fight off the predator and escape.
"You should have seen the other guy," Gallo told the New York Post after his battle with a shark.
New photos from the attack show bite marks on Gallo's chest and hand.
His injuries required him to get a few stitches on his hand and a bandage on his chest.
The lifeguard was participating in a training exercise at Smith Point Beach in New York on Sunday when the attack happened.
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He told the New York Post that he felt a sharp pinch in his hand during the training.
“That’s when I pulled it to my chest, and survival instinct kicked in,” Gallo told the New York Post.
"I ripped back and just started hammer-punching, and I felt the rubber texture of the head. It felt like the size of a basketball.
The 33-year-old continued to fight with the shark, trying to prevent it from sinking its teeth into him again.
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“I just ‘boom, boom, boomed,’ and on the third connect, the shark flipped. I saw the whole body flip and swim in the other direction,” Gallo said.
He also instructed the other people to get out of the water as he swam toward the shore.
Gallo, who has been a lifeguard for 10 years, was thankful to get away from the shark and be treated by medical staff almost instantly.
“I’m grateful that it was a minor injury. It could have been a lot worse, and I’m grateful I walked out of the water alone," he said.
"I’m grateful that I received EMT services right away. I’m grateful to work at a beach with the best lifeguards in the world.”
CBS News reported that he is also thankful to be back home with his wife, Caitlin Murray, and their 4-month-old child, who was ironically dressed in a Baby Shark outfit on Sunday.
When Murray heard about her husband's shark attack, she thought he was joking.
“He’s always so fearless. He sounded so calm, I said, ‘Oh, OK, are you sure it wasn’t a bluefish or something?’ Murray said.
“I’m proud he had the strength to tell everyone to get out, too. I’m so glad he walked away with a scratch, but he’s the best guard to pick on because he’s the biggest dude on the beach. I’m very proud.”
Gallo isn't afraid of returning to the water after the recent attack. He believes the shark was curious and wasn't trying to eat him.
“We are visitors in their world. This was just a curious animal. I have to be out of work for 10 days, but I’m looking forward to getting back into the water,” he added.
Smith Point Beach was closed after the attack but reopened again for July 4.
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Shark attacks have also been reported in Florida after a 28-year-old surfer suffered minor injuries in an attack this week.
The unnamed surfer was attacked just a day after 17-year old Addison Bethea had a shark attack her leg while she was hunting for scallops off the northwestern coast.
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