Galapagos Shark Attack!
Well, from what I can make from the translation, a surfer was attacked by a shark in the Galapagos on Saturday. The victim, Gonzalo Vasquez Alcivar, was taken to a hospital in Santa Cruz, but due to the severity of his injuries was then taken to the Guayaquil clinic, where a medical team tried to rebuild his right leg. Yeoch!
[source]
UPDATE: Underwatertimes has a little more info on the attack. The surfer, 22, suffered some serious injuries to his leg and hand. The attack occurred while Gazalo was surfing off Villamil beach on Isabela Island, which is part of the Galapagos archipelago.
According to his sister, Ingrid Vasquez, Gonzalo was surfing with friends when the shark bit him on the bottom of the right foot. While fighting off the shark, Gonzalo tried to open it’s mouth, when three fingers from his right hand were lacerated.
Gonzalo was treated at a hospital in Santa Cruz, but the severity of his injuries warranted a transfer to a clinic to Guayaquil, where doctors are still trying to repair his severely injured foot. The resident physician at the clinic stated there is a 50% chance the foot could be saved.
This is the second shark attack in the Galapagos archipelago in less than two months. On November 24, 2008, a shark attacked a Danish tourist south of Santa Cruz Island. The woman right leg was saved after sixteen successful surgeries.
I hope the reporter had his article in spanish directly translated for humour since its hilarious like it is. All I got was a guy got bitten somewhere between his foot, his hand and his leg…lol
probably a piranha that bite him
This is a forwarded e mail I received from a friend…
Hi,
As you all know I have spent the past few years living on the Galapagos Islands. Yesterday, a very good friend of mine called Alegria (23) was attacked three times by a tiger shark in the surf spot close to town where we surf every day. The attack was completely out of the blue and is the first (and hopefully last) ever shark attack on the island.
My boyfriend Junior pulled Alegria to shore and after being taken by boat to a neighbouring island he was flown to the mainland and as I write this mail is having surgery. He suffered severe injuries to his right leg and hand and needs to have reconstructive surgery on both.
As you are all probably aware, treatment of this kind is extremely expensive and involves a long process of rehabilitation. A fundraising drive has been started in Ecuador and I am writing to see if anyone can spare any amount no matter how small to help Alegria cover his medical expenses after this horrific experience.
If you are able to donate something please let me know, and I can organise to collect it from you. I hope to transfer any money collected to Alegria’s aunt towards the end of the week and have already managed to get donations of 250 euro.
I have attached a photo of Alegria and myself (he’s the one on the right). Your donation will be greatly appreciated by him.
Many thanks,
Nicola
If you want an email – message me at info@learntosea.co.uk and I cam forward an email adress.
I was travelling on Isabela at the time of the attack and can confirm that the above is true (though some discrepancy regarding the guy´s name in the comments above…) The community are indeed trying to raise funds for him to receive reconstructive surgery on the mainland, as I met and chatted with his cousin whilst staying there. The community are also in shock – the tiger shark attack happened in waist deep water in a popular surf spot. Whilst there are tiger sharks in the area, it is still very unusual.
So that you all know, there is no discrepancy with his name. His given name is Gonzalo, but his nickname is Alegria, because he literally always a smile and radiates happiness; Alegria means happiness in Spanish.
Fuck Alegria in his happy ass. If he’s stupid enough to surf in sharkland, why should I foot the bill for his medical expenses when he finally gets chomped on?
I am greatly dissappointed with Mrniceguy comment.
Mrniceguy if one day you are in trouble you will get
help because that is the nature of people with good hearts. Probably you were having a bad day. Next time, if you have nothing nice to say or a nice deed to do, simply sit and think when someone did something nice for you. The Lord Jeohava bless you always.