I arrived on scene at approximately 4:16p.m. and climbed the jetty rocks so that I could get to the victim. 

The victim is previously known to me, when I reached him he called out my name and stated that he was hurt and needed help. At this time the park staff had already called to have Brevard county rescue (BCR) en route.

I checked Subject's vitals and stabilized him until BCR arrived on scene. Once on scene, I assisted BCR in loading Subject up on the stabilization board and put him on a lift. We then began to lift Subject vertically up a ladder that BCR had brought with them. Subject was then transported to Holmes Regional Medical Center (HRMC) in Melbourne, FL.

At HRMC I interviewed Subject concerning the boating accident. Subject stated the following;

"I was fighting a black tip shark at the end of the north jetty. I got the shark right up to me and then my rod snapped. I gaffed the shark in the throat but readjusted the gaff so that I could land her at the beach better.

I had to pull up close to her to maneuver her how I needed to. Then a wave hit me from behind and knocked me out of my kayak and into the water. The shark ended up on top of me but it did not bite me. I began to get pounded by the rocks and waves relentlessly. My life jacket inflated and kept me afloat. I continued to get hit by the waves and rocks. 

Fisherman from the jetty threw down a hoop net for me but it kept making me go back into the rocks. I was tired so I let go. Another fisherman threw down two of the orange float/buoys from the jetty and then he brought me into the rocks and helped me get up them.

I thought I was going to die."


I told Subject that wearing the PFD probably saved his life. Subject agreed and stated that it was the best couple of hundred bucks he had ever spent.  He received stitches for his facial wounds and also xrays for his legs and torso.



Subject was treated for numerous lacerations from head to toe. He also had a contusion on his left shin. Subject was taken to the emergency room for an extended period of time but was not admitted to the hospital. He received stitches for his facial wounds and xrays were taken of his legs and torso.
MELBOURNE BEACH               