Hawaii surfer who lost his foot in a shark attack survived by punching and swearing – and with a 'bear hug.'
Hawaii surfer Mike Morita woke up early and planned to get a few waves in before going to Easter service with his wife.
His shouts and swearing got the attention of his fellow Kewalos regulars, who paddled straight toward him without hesitation.His son, Kamu Morita,that he's thankful there were other surfers in the water and his father guided them on applying a tourniquet until EMS crews could arrive. The friends later told Morita the shark dragged him underwater. Morita remembers slipping an arm around the shark -- described by his son as a"bear hug." He reached for its gills.State officials said it was reported to be an 8-foot tiger shark.
Morita, who started surfing in the fourth grade, believes he'll surf again."I'm not good at it, but I love it," he said.Morita said his faith in God, which has grown in recent years, has kept him from getting depressed.
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