The swimmer who was bitten multiple times by a shark off the coast of San Diego earlier this month remembered the surreal moment he had to swim through his own blood.
“I knew I had been hit by a shark. I tussled with the animal for what was seconds,” Caleb Adams, 46, told NBC News of the moment he felt “a strong hit on the side” of his body while swimming 100 yards offshore in Del Mar on June 2.
Caleb Adams, 46, was attacked by a shark on June 2. NBC NewsAdams was with 18 other members of an open-water swimming group with the shark attacked, he explained.
“The second time I struck the animal, I felt a softer tissue. I am going to speculate that that was inside the shark’s mouth. And I had several cuts on my hand and wrist,” Adams told the outlet.
“He punched it in the face. He punched it in the nose,” she said. “I do know he had a gash on his hand from a shark’s tooth,” witness Jenna Veal added.
Adams was finally able to yell out “just two clear words,” “help” and “shark.”
His swimming partner, Kaven Barrett, heard his cries for help.
“You know that’s a real scream,” Barrett told NBC.
Adams was with his open-water swimming group when the attack took place. NBC News“When I was swimming him in, the blood was just pouring out of his chest,” he recalled.
On shore, he added, “we could really see the traumatic extent of his injuries and it was not pretty.”
While Adams was taken to an ambulance, a lifeguard held their hand under Adams’ chin and told him not to look down.
Adams was left with multiple shark bites up and down his torso. NBC News
Adams was also bitten on his left hand. NBC NewsAdams was treated at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla for bites to his left hand, left arms, and torso, the city of Del Mar said.
The stretch of beach where he was attacked was closed for the day following the attack. Experts said the area has become a nursery for young great white sharks.
Adams returned to the shore two weeks later, which he said was an “emotional” experience.
He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where his wounds were stitched up. NBC News“I have a beautiful community to lean on and I’m very thankful,” he told the outlet.
Adams’ near-miss occurred just a few days before three people – including two teenagers – were attacked by sharks off the Florida panhandle.
One of the victims, 15-year-old Lulu Gribbin, lost most of her right leg and her left hand when she was attacked while vacationing with her mom and twin sister.
