Mate of Byron shark attack victim determined to continue surfing

Mate of man seriously injured by shark at Byron Bay vows he won’t let it put him off surfing despite being unable to sleep since witnessing attack.

A WITNESS to a brutal shark attack off Byron Bay yesterday says he is likely to continue surfing, but wants to see alternative control measures in place.

Sam Edwardes from Suffolk Park was surfing at Belongil Beach on Sunday morning when he was bitten on the thigh by a shark.

He was then flown to the Gold Coast University Hospital to undergo four-and-a-half hours of emergency surgery and now remains in ICU.

Shark attack victim Sam Edwardes.

Sam Edwardes’ board following the attack.

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Housemate Dane Davidson, who was surfing with Edwards at the time of the attack said, the incident was unlikely to put him off their shared passion.

Davidson had since been described as a hero for his quick work in tying making a tourniquet out of his surfboard leg rope.

He yesterday described the huge amount of blood lost by Edwardes, and the “chunk” of flesh he saw missing from his mate’s thigh.

“I am OK but I haven’t slept,” Mr Davidson told the Bulletin.

“It’s scary and will play on my mind, but I will continue to surf.

“I think Sam will have a break for a while, but I do believe he will surf again.”

Signs are erected closing beaches at Byron Bay yesterday.

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Mr Davidson said he would like to see something done to prevent more attacks.

“I do think something needs to be done to deter sharks in the area, but I certainly don’t believe culling is the answer,” Mr Davidson said.

“Nets seem to create more problems, so something else needs to be put in place to somehow deter the frequency of sharks in the Byron Bay region.”

Since the attack friends and family have rallied around the special needs relief teacher who is expected to face a long road to rehabilitation.

A Gofundme has been organised to assist the 41-year-old during his recovery.

“He had a rest over night and surgery again this morning, so I am hoping to see him today,” Mr Davidson said.

“He won’t have an income for a while now, which is why we did the go fund me for the recovery.”

The Gofundme has already raised over $3000 at noon today.

Edwardes is in an induced coma and faced a second round of surgery this morning.

His family travelled from Byron Bay to his bedside in hospital yesterday.

Beaches which were closed following the attack yesterday were reopened this morning.