Surfer Bitten By Shark Leaves San Jose Hospital
SAN JOSE (KCBS)— A man who was bitten in the neck and arm by a shark off a Monterey County beach Saturday was out of the hospital Monday.
Eric Tarantino walked out of the San Jose Regional Medical Center Monday afternoon with bandages on his neck, right arm and both hands.
The 27-year-old had been surfing with friends at Marina State Beach Saturday morning for about 10 minutes when a 9-foot shark bit him on the neck and right forearm.
Tarantino was able to make it back to the beach, where fellow surfers used beach towels to apply a tourniquet before he was airlifted to the hospital.
KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:
"The bite missed his carotid artery and his jugular vein by about two millimeters," said Dr. Bruce Wilbur who added that Tarantino may be released from the hospital as early as Monday.
Tarantino's mother told CBS 5 how her son fought off the Great White even as he bled from his neck and arm.
"He actually said it felt like a car or a truck pulling him along. It had his arm in its mouth and was pulling him under the water," she said.
The animal also left teeth marks in his red surfboard.
The State Department of Parks and Recreation is now posting shark warning signs at beaches from Fort Ord to Moss Landing. The month of October is known for being peak time for shark attacks.
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