Joe Hoffman shark bite: Coast family praises efforts of bystanders at Crescent Head
A Sunshine Coast surfer’s family has praised the efforts of bystanders, including surgical staff who happened to be on the beach when their son was bitten by a 3m great white shark.
NSW
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The family of a popular Sunshine Coast surfer mauled by a 3m great white shark at Crescent Head say they are grateful to have their son still with them after bystanders helped save his life on the beach.
Joe Hoffman was surfing at Crescent Head just before 4.30pm Monday when he was bitten after duck diving a wave.
His father, former Daily journalist Bill Hoffman, said his 25-year-old son initially thought he’d been battered by a wave, until he saw extensive injuries to his forearm and bicep from the bite.
Mr Hoffman said his son lost “buckets of blood” but somehow managed to get himself to shore after the incident.
When Joe reached shore he was met by a group of bystanders understood to have been senior trauma surgical staff from John Hunter Hospital on holiday at the time.
They sprung into action applying tourniquets and Mr Hoffman said it was their quick, highly-trained response which saved his son’s life.
“He’s unsure himself how he got to the beach,” Mr Hoffman said.
“He duck dived a wave and thought he’d copped a thrashing from the wave.”
Joe was flown to John Hunter Hospital after being stabilised and underwent surgery overnight.
It was understood the attack had left him with multiple forearm fractures and significant upper arm injuries, but the full extent of his injuries would become clearer on Tuesday.
Mr Hoffman said his family was grateful their son was still with them and that he survived a “traumatic encounter”.
“We’re extremely grateful to and would like to thank the first people to respond on the beach,” he said.
“We understand they included medical personnel with the appropriate expertise which again we feel very fortunate for.”
Mr Hoffman also thanked Kempsey police, emergency personnel and staff at John Hunter Hospital.
“Everyone’s been kind, thoughtful and that’s been much appreciated,” he said.
“Joe grew up in the water, he’s had a lifetime love of the surf and involvement in the water and that experience we think might’ve helped him survive.”
Joe had been surfing with a mate at the time and it was understood up to six other surfers had helped bring him to a barbecue area where he was stabilised before he was flown to hospital.
Mr Hoffman said he and his wife Wendy, who were both making their way to John Hunter Hospital on Tuesday, wanted to thank all well-wishers who had been in touch since the incident.
“Wendy and I would like to thank everyone who’s been involved with the care of our son since this incident,” he said.
Scientists had confirmed a three-metre great white had been responsible after analysis the two-foot bite mark on Joe’s board.
Killick and Crescent Head beaches were closed after the incident.
Originally published as Joe Hoffman shark bite: Coast family praises efforts of bystanders at Crescent Head
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