Hawaii: Man Injured In Shark Attack Takes Video Selfie While Being Transported To Hospital

A 27-year-old man from Hawaii was injured in a shark attack on Sunday afternoon. However, more than the attack itself, it’s what he did after getting injured that is making news today. The man, identified as John Braxton, posted a video of him being transported to a hospital moments after he was attacked by a tiger shark. The video was posted to Braxton’s Instagram account a few hours after the shark attack. The video shows Braxton lying on a stretcher in distress, even as he was being carried away for emergency medical treatment, Yahoo News Australia reports.

According to KKTV News, the shark attack happened Sunday afternoon at Upolu Point off the North Kohala shoreline of the Big Island. The victim was spearfishing in the shallow waters when a 13-foot tiger shark attacked him and bit him on the thigh. Braxton was, however, somehow able to swim back to the shore, where he raised an alarm and warned his friends to get out of the water. Emergency services arrived quickly, and Braxton was loaded onto an ambulance, which transported him to the North Hawaii Community Hospital. His condition was reported to be serious.

In the video embedded below, Braxton is seen lying on his back as he is being put onto an ambulance by his friends. The extent of the injury caused by the shark bite is also clearly seen.

Warning: The video is graphic in nature. Viewer discretion is advised

He is heard saying the following.

“I just got attacked by a tiger shark! Hooo!”

A friend, who is helping Braxton into the vehicle, is heard saying “I love you, my brother,” to which John responds by saying “Love you too!”

The video was uploaded to Braxton’s Instagram account, and it has now garnered worldwide attention. Currently, the video has been liked by nearly 5,000 people, and has been viewed by thousands of people.

Meanwhile, according to an ABC News report, state officials did not order to close the beaches near the area where the shark attack happened, owing to the fact that it was an isolated area. However, they did issue a warning, asking people not to venture into the ocean after rains, as the muddy water caused by rains can potentially attract sharks. The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources issued a statement a few hours after the shark attack that read as follows.

“A 27 year old Kapaau man was spearfishing Sunday afternoon about 60 yards off Upolu Point in North Kohala, when he reports a 13-foot-long tiger shark bit him on his left leg. He was able to swim to shore and alerted his fishing companion, who then called 911. An ambulance took him to Kamehameha park and then he was flown by a Hawaii Fire Dept. helicopter to North Hawaii Hospital and taken into surgery. No beaches are closed,since this occurred in an isolated and remote area. Water conditions were murky due to heavy rain in the area. The Dept. of Land and Natural Resources advises people to avoid entering the ocean during brown water conditions.”

John Braxton’s Instagram post has been inundated with messages from friends and well-wishers from around the world who prayed for his quick recovery.

[Image via Wikimedia Commons]