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Windsurfer
critical after Maui
shark attack

The French man is bitten
on the left leg in waters off
Maui's Kanaha Beach

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Star-Bulletin staff

WAILUKU -- A windsurfer was in critical condition this morning in the intensive care unit at Maui Memorial Medical Center after undergoing surgery for injuries in a shark attack in waters off Kanaha Beach Park near Kahului Airport.

The shark apparently bit the windsurfer's leg below the left knee about 12:30 p.m. yesterday.

"It seemed it was a shred more than a chunk missing," said Chris Rose, an emergency medical technician.

Rose said the windsurfer, age 53, from France, was conscious and was no longer bleeding from the wound when he was taken to the hospital.

The wife of the victim slept at his bedside last night after his surgery.

As a standard practice after a shark attack, state officials are closing Kanaha beach today, but will reopen it tomorrow.

Water safety officers were patrolling Kanaha waters on Jet Skis.

Joseph Perez, who has worked as a water safety officer for seven years said he can't remember ever hearing of a shark attack at Kanaha.

Perez said the man used a cord from the windsurf board to tie a tourniquet around his wound to stop the bleeding.

Perez said the man hung onto his board until he was rescued.

"He was conscious, alert and a smart survivor," Perez said.

After the attack, a windsurfer came to the aid of the victim.

Rose said a lifeguard eventually used a Jet Ski to transport the man to the beach.

Between 1990 and 1999, 12 shark attacks were reported on Maui. Between 1980 and 1989, there were four reported attacks.

Last year, there were two reported shark attacks off Maui:

On March 5, Maui resident Robyne Knutson suffered a large gash in her leg after a shark bit her while she was swimming 300 yards off Kaanapali.

On March 18, Nahid Davoodabai of California was attacked by a shark off west Maui, according to her husband. Her body was never found.