Fast and strong as a train: man survives bull shark attack

Australia - Dave Pearson's life changed abruptly 14 years ago. To this day, the Australian still remembers the moment, which on some days even deprives him of sleep.

Dave Pearson loves the sea. Since the attack, however, he sometimes has a queasy feeling in the water.
Dave Pearson loves the sea. Since the attack, however, he sometimes has a queasy feeling in the water.  © Wendell Teodoro / AFP

This evening after work from 2011 never leaves him. After work, Dave arranged to go surfing with a few friends. He had no idea what was waiting for him in the sea off the coast of the Australian state of New South Wales.

From the depths of the ocean, "with what felt like the force and speed of a train", a three-metre-long bull shark suddenly appeared in front of him, the experienced surfer told the Guardian.

Dave had no chance of escaping the ensuing disaster : the sea predator clutched the Australian's left arm and surfboard with its mouth, tearing everything to pieces.

Dave was lucky, he survived the shark attack. The injuries have since healed, but scars remain - especially psychological ones. The Australian suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD for short.

The worst was already over. In his hospital bed, Dave was optimistic that he would recover.
The worst was already over. In his hospital bed, Dave was optimistic that he would recover.  © Screenshot/Facebook/Dave Pearson
This tattoo will remind Dave Pearson of the attack on March 23, 2011 for the rest of his life.
This tattoo will remind Dave Pearson of the attack on March 23, 2011 for the rest of his life.  © PETER PARKS / AFP

Dave Pearson is back on the surfboard today - with a queasy feeling

A bull shark like this one attacked the Australian out of nowhere, beating him up badly. (symbolic image)
A bull shark like this one attacked the Australian out of nowhere, beating him up badly. (symbolic image)  © Joseph Prezioso / AFP

In an interview with PEOPLE, Dave reveals that he has long since returned to the surfboard. He loves the sport - and the ocean. "But there are times when I feel uncomfortable, when it doesn't feel right to be in the sea," said the Australian.

His attacker, the giant bull shark, sometimes even follows him under the covers. "Especially after a serious attack. The closer the attack was to home, the greater the impact can be," says Dave.

In the worst cases, thoughts of that time would keep him awake, coupled with anger, frustration or hopelessness. He copes with particularly severe episodes together with his family and other victims of shark attacks in a group on Facebook .

He also regularly talks to people who have unintentionally witnessed a shark attack. "It can be very stressful and it can take a few days for me to calm down afterwards," says the Australian.

The horrific experience on March 23, 2011 will probably haunt Dave for the rest of his life.