WA shark attack victim Cameron Pearman had a 'very lucky near miss', says his father
A Western Australian teenager who was bitten by a shark yesterday while surfing had a "very lucky near miss," his father says.
Cameron Pearman, 13, was bitten by a two-metre shark while surfing at Pyramids beach, about 85 kilometres south of Perth, on Saturday morning.
Cameron said he was sitting on his board waiting for a wave when the shark hit him from behind and knocked him off his board.
"I only saw its head for a split second, because I didn't really know what was going on, so I just saw it for a split second and then it swam off," he said.
Cameron was helped ashore and surf livesavers bandaged the puncture wound before allowing him to leave and cycle to his home two kilometres away.
His father, Tim Pearman, said it was hard to believe at first that Cameron had been bitten by a shark.
"He'd ridden home on his bike, and he was bandaged up, there was quite a bit of blood, but I thought you don't ride your bike if you've been bitten by a shark, so I was a bit suspicious, but once he'd had a shower and I could see what had happened, it was pretty obvious," he said.
After Cameron ate breakfast, Mr Pearman took him to hospital.
He said that Cameron was starting to appreciate that the outcome could have been a lot worse.
"Yesterday afternoon it was starting to sink in, that it was a very lucky near miss, it certainly wasn't a full blown shark attack by any means, but certainly was a lucky near miss," he said.
Mr Pearman said Cameron had minor surgery last night and was doing well.
"Pretty much a standard procedure, and I think they've cleaned the wounds out and found a few particles of what was probably wetsuit stuck in there, but apart from that everything is good," he said.
"He's just a bit stiff and sore this morning."
Mr Pearman said despite the close call he would not keep his son out of the water.
"He's keen to get back into the water, but he's a little bit concerned about how he's going to feel when he does that but I'm sure he will, as soon as the doctors are happy for him to go back in," he said.
Mr Pearson said Cameron was likely to be released from hospital this afternoon.
A shark was reported in the same area this morning but surf lifesavers saw no sign of it and the beach had now been re-opened.