Shark Attack Victim Arrives In Boston For Treatment
BOSTON (CBS) – A Rhode Island man is now back in New England for treatment after surviving a harrowing shark attack in Hawaii.
Colin Cook, 25, an avid surfer and surfboard designer, was out on his board off the coast of Oahu October 10th, when he was attacked.
"Out of nowhere a huge shark just slams me and pulls me under. It took me a second to kind of realize what was going on," said Cook.
Cook struggled with the 13 foot tiger shark for minutes, punching it repeatedly in the nose.
"The shark was still on me, all over me, just kinda being relentless. Usually most sharks just kinda swim away after they hit something. This shark would not go away," said Cook.
A fellow surfer came to Cook's aid, beating the shark with a paddle.
In the end, the Tiverton, Rhode Island man had lost his left leg and a finger.
After spending weeks in the hospital in Hawaii, he returned home Wednesday to begin the long road to recovery. Cook and his family will meet with doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation next week.
"If you look at the glass half empty, you can go down a dark path…surfing is my passion and my love. Knowing I'll be back out there one day keeps me wanting to go forward," said Cook.
Cook plans to return to Hawaii and surfing.