After Shark Attack, He Was Rushed to Hospital Where Wife Works

A Northern California surfer is recovering after a terrifying encounter with a shark that left him seriously injured but alive.

James Eastman, 39, was surfing Wednesday evening at Big River Beach in Mendocino Headlands State Park when the attack happened. The incident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. while he was out in the water. According to Eastman, he noticed a shark’s head rising near the surface moments before the animal bit down on him.

Speaking from his hospital bed to ABC News, Eastman said the sudden attack forced him into survival mode. Thinking about his wife and their 9-month-old child, he began hitting the shark on the nose until it released him.

After managing to break free, Eastman stayed on his surfboard and paddled back toward shore despite suffering major injuries to both legs. Three off-duty lifeguards who had been surfing nearby saw what happened and quickly came to his aid once he reached land.

Emergency responders transported him by ambulance to Adventist Hospital in Fort Bragg. The situation became even more emotional when his wife, Chloe, who works at the hospital as an emergency room nurse, learned that her injured husband was the patient being brought in. She said she collapsed when she realized he was the victim of the attack.

Even with the serious injuries, Eastman says he does not want the experience to end his time in the ocean. He explained that surfing is a huge part of his life and that he would be very disappointed if he could never return to the sport. He also acknowledged that, considering the circumstances, he feels fortunate to have survived.

Officials with the California Department of Wildlife are investigating the incident. Authorities say they have collected DNA samples and are continuing to gather information to better understand what happened.

Shark encounters in Mendocino County are rare. State data shows only seven incidents have been reported in the area since 1950. However, this is the second case reported this year. Earlier in January, another surfer about 50 miles south of Big River Beach was injured in a shark encounter that also snapped his surfboard in half.

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