Local surfer Cole Taschman underwent emergency surgery after suffering his second shark attack at Bathtub Beach in Martin County, Florida. The incident occurred on Friday, October 25, when an estimated eight-foot shark bit into Taschman’s leg, requiring 93 stitches to close his wounds.
Reflecting on the harrowing experience, Taschman recounted the moment of the attack, stating, “I looked behind me and saw him just kind of lurking. Then, in a split second, he moved towards the side, and I could see his silhouette.”
Fortunately, Taschman managed to escape the shark and ride a wave to safety. Friends and witnesses quickly applied a surf leash as a tourniquet, a critical measure that likely saved his life. His girlfriend and a friend transported him to a nearby hospital, where they continuously poured water on him to keep him conscious as he struggled with excruciating pain. At the hospital, he received urgent medical care, including two surgeries to repair tendon damage and close the deep wounds.
This is not the first time Taschman has faced a shark. He was previously attacked by a smaller shark at the same beach in 2013, but he described that experience as significantly less traumatic. “The first one was a tiny little reef pup. It’s like comparing an Olympic athlete to a high school athlete in terms of trauma,” he explained.
In light of the incident, Taschman’s girlfriend, Ana Peci, has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to help cover his medical expenses. She detailed the severity of his injuries, noting that he suffered damage to tendons and deep wounds, almost losing both feet. Peci emphasized that Taschman, who does not have health insurance, faces a lengthy recovery period and will be unable to work for three months as he heals from the attack. Currently wheelchair-bound, he has a challenging road ahead.
When not encountering sharks, Taschman operates a local fishing charter service. Bathtub Beach, located approximately 40 miles south of Vero Beach and 150 miles north of New Smyrna Beach—often dubbed the shark bite capital of the world—has become an unfortunate backdrop for his experiences.
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