Boy, 11, mauled by shark as he snorkelled had been enjoying 'trip of …
An 11-year-old boy was mauled by a shark while enjoying a trip of a lifetime with his family. Archie Blake was snorkelling off the west coast of Australia near Exmouth when he was bitten on Saturday afternoon. Beachgoers dragged the youngster to safety and gave him emergency first aid before paramedics arrived.
The schoolboy had left Hobart in Tasmania with his parents and three siblings to go on the dream holiday which was four years in the making. He was swimming with his mum Hazel around 50 metres from the shore when the shark struck. The rest of their family watched on helplessly as the shark tore into Archie's leg, leaving him with "serious lacerations."
He was taken to Perth Children's Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
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Beachgoers rushed to help the boy before emergency services arrived (7 News)
Marc De Sousa, who was among helpers, said they dragged the boy up the beach and used a shirt to apply pressure to one of the bite marks. "I saw a fair bit of splashing and wasn't sure what had happened at the time, but as the mum and the two kids started swimming in, the mum waved out for help," he told ABC. "We ran over and the elder of the boys, I think, got bitten on the leg by a decent shark, I'd say.
We just made sure he was conscious, made sure he was as good as he could be." Mr De Sousa said his dad soon arrived at the scene and went to fetch Archie's dad Kieren, a paramedic. He then ran to the nearby Kurrajong Campground to call for an ambulance, which took about 40 minutes to arrive.
Archie was snorkelling with his family when he was brutally bitten by the beast (GoFundMe)
Archie was treated on the beach before being taken to the nearest hospital in Exmouth where he was airlifted to Perth Children's Hospital for further treatment that night.
Beaches were shut from Pilgramunna north to Bloodwood Creek and swimmers have been urged to take extra care.
A GoFundMe page was set up by Hobart councillor Ryan Posselt on Sunday to raise money for the family to help with accommodation, travel costs and any rehab Archie may need.
He is expected to have surgery on Sunday and is likely to need several more over the coming days.