Wetsuit tourniquet saved shark-bite victim

A British shark attack victim whose leg was bitten off was saved by quick-thinking bystanders who applied a makeshift tourniquet from a wetsuit and two belts, a surgeon said today.

Michael Cohen, 42, was mauled by the great white while swimming at Fish Hoek beach in Cape Town, South Africa.

He emerged from the water bleeding profusely from his right thigh and left ankle which was also bitten through.

Today, surgeon professor Andrew Nichol said Mr Cohen was critical but stable in hospital after receiving more than seven litres of blood.

He paid tribute to those who saved Mr Cohen’s life, saying: “That tourniquet has consisted of a wetsuit applied around the thigh and wrapped around with two belts very, very tightly.

“It was an amateur tourniquet but it had almost completely resulted in a cessation of blood loss.

“I just want to commend the first aid work of those on the beach and the tremendous way in which they responded actually saved the life of this patient.”

It is thought those responsible for saving Mr Cohen left the beach without passing on their details.