Man who survived attack by great white shark that was ‘bigger than a bus’ reveals how the horrifying ordeal has ruined him financially
- Colin Rowland, now 65, is unqualified to receive a pension and says he is broke
- The former real estate agent suffered injuries to his shoulder, hip and knee
- He was mauled by a 1,500 kg great white shark while surfing in December 2016
A shark attack survivor who has been unable to return to work since was mauled by a great white nearly three years ago is now broke and no longer qualifies for a pension.
Colin Rowland, now 65, says all his finances are ‘gone’ after he was attacked while surfing at Seven Mile Beach in New South Wales’ mid-north coast.
The former real estate agent was left wheel-chair bound for six months after suffering from a broken shoulder, hip and knee injuries when he was attacked by the five-metre long predator.
Colin Rowland (right with son James), now 65, is unqualified to receive a pension and says all his finances are ‘gone’ after he was attacked while surfing at Seven Mile Beach in New South Wales’ mid-north coast
His surfboard was snapped in half and he suffered arm and leg injuries, requiring 20 stitches after he kicked the great white in the teeth
A surfer who spotted Mr Rowland and helped him get back to shore said he thought he was ‘going to be in two’. He was then treated by paramedics
Mr Rowland noticed six dolphins swimming underneath his surfboard before a shark he described as ‘bigger than my bus’ aimed at him in December 2016.
His surfboard was snapped in half and he suffered arm and leg injuries, requiring 20 stitches after he kicked the great white in the teeth.
He catapulted four metres in the air when the shark weighing about 1,500kg struck him from underneath him.
A surfer who spotted Mr Rowland and helped him get back to shore said he thought he was ‘going to be in two’. He was then treated by paramedics.
Nearly three years since his near-death experience, the father says he has been unable to afford living in his Forster home.
‘I have exhausted all my finances. It is all gone,’ he told the Daily Telegraph.
‘I have battled away but financially I am stuffed, and that is hurting my recovery because of the endless stress.
‘It makes me cry.’
Mr Rowland said he ‘cheated death’ when the shark forcefully dragged him from his leg rope and slammed his body into sand resulting in severe injuries
Mr Rowland noticed six dolphins swimming underneath his surfboard before a shark he described as ‘bigger than my bus’ aimed at him in December 2016
Mr Rowland says he was ‘saved’ when blood oozed from his ankle, which he says caused the shark to turn away
Mr Rowland said he ‘cheated death’ when the shark forcefully dragged him from his leg rope and slammed his body into sand resulting in severe injuries.
‘I reckon I found the strength of 20 men to someone get near the surface so I could take a breath before it dragged me back under,’ he said.
Mr Rowland says he was ‘saved’ when blood oozed from his ankle, which he says caused the shark to turn away.
He was airlifted to hospital and underwent 12 hours of surgery.
Mr Rowland was surfing at Seven Mile Beach in New South Wales’ mid-north coast (pictured)