10 mai 2007.Diver airlifted from Similans after ‘fish’ attack
FROM PHUKET WITH LOVE: Rustem Teregulov, recovering in hospital after he was bitten by a fish, gives a ‘thumbs up’ to the Royal Thai Navy’s medivac efforts.
PHUKET: Russian tourist Rustem Teregulov, 39, was airlifted by Royal Thai Navy helicopter from the
Similan Islands to
Phuket yesterday after he was bitten by a fish – or possibly a moray eel – while diving in the world-renowned national park.
Mr Teregulov today told the
Gazette that he was diving off one of the smaller islands about 1:30 pm when the attack happened.
“I saw some sand [shifting] like turbulence, and I swam very close and touched the bottom. That’s when a fish or something came out and bit me, ” Mr Teregulov said.
The bite had peeled open the top of his hand.
“I didn’t see the fish. I think it was a barracuda, ” he added.
Mr Teregulov, a
Moscow businessman, surfaced and boarded the 32-meter power yacht he was diving from and received first aid. Rope was used as a tourniquet to stem the bleeding and his wound was bandaged, he said.
Vice-Admiral Supot Pruksa, of the Third Naval Command in
Phuket, said that the Royal Thai Navy received the call for help about 1:55 pm.
However, the pilot could not land at the rendezvous point on Island No 4, better known as Koh Miang, until about 4:15 pm due to poor weather.
Mr Teregulov was flown to
Bangkok Hospital
Phuket, where he is staying for several days’ recovery and observation.
Chief Petty Officer Rungarun Inthawong, also of the Third Naval Area Command, said that it was likely Mr Teregulov was bitten by a moray eel.
Mr Teregulov, a frequent visitor to
Phuket, said the incident would not deter him from returning. “Of course I’ll be back, ” he laughed.
In April 2005, 32-year-old Matt Butcher of Stanstead, Essex, in England, had his left thumb bitten off and eaten by a giant moray eel while he was diving at the well-known East of Eden dive site in the
Similan Islands. Click
here
for full story.
Bonjour!!
, surtout kan tu es sur un matelas pneumatique a quelques metres de la plages, un pti banc de roche en dessous et là on me dit qu'il y a un poisson lion juste en dessous, une piqure et il fo aller a l hopital dan les 10mn!!
? 
)
