WEST PALM BEACH — A Florida man is recovering and speaking out after surviving a shark attack on the state’s Treasure Coast.
Cole Taschman has been bitten on the same beach, in the same area, near the exact same spot not once — but now twice. His fiance was recording when it happened. The last time was in 2013.
Cole told CBS News Miami what saved him this time was faith, experience and some quick thinking.
“We used the surfboard leashes around my thighs to cut the blood off,” he said. “We used them as tunicates. Anna put the towel around my feet and they got me in the truck soon as we are in the truck. Anna was in the back seat, [and] Zach was driving me. Figure we were faster than an ambulance.”
Taschman received 93 stitches and eight staples in his feet and said as soon as he’s healed, he’ll be out surfing again.
For now, he does have some fundraisers scheduled to help him pay some of those medical bills. If you’d like to help, visit Ohana Surf Shop’s Instagram and send your donations here.
