A fisherman trying to free a net from a boat propeller was attacked by a shark about 35 miles southeast of Grand Isle, La., Sept. 3, suffering serve injuries that left a leg partially amputated, according to the Coast Guard.
The 64-year-old crewman on the vessel Moon Glow was trying to free the net when he fell overboard and was struck by a shark of unknown size and species.
Coast Guard watchstanders in New Orleans received a VHF channel 16 call from the vessel at 12:51 a.m. Other crew members aboard the Moon Glow applied a tourniquet to the man’s partially amputated leg and radioed for help.
A Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew launched to the scene. When the helicopter crew arrived, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer administered first aid and applied a new tourniquet to the man’s leg.
The crew hoisted the injured man and transported him to University Medical Center New Orleans in critical condition.
