Russian diver attacked by fish at Similans

[MoonWrasse]

Diver airlifted from Similians after ‘fish’ attack

FROM PHUKET WITH LOVE: Rustem Teregulov, recovering in hospital after he was bitten by a fish, gives a ‘thumbs up’ to the Royal Thai Navy’s medivac efforts.

PHUKET: Russian tourist Rustem Teregulov, 39, was airlifted by Royal Thai Navy helicopter from the Similian Islands to Phuket yesterday after he was bitten by a fish – or possibly a moray eel – while diving in the world-renowned national park.

Mr Teregulov today told the Gazette that he was diving off one of the smaller islands about 1:30 pm when the attack happened.

“I saw some sand [shifting] like turbulence, and I swam very close and touched the bottom. That’s when a fish or something came out and bit me,” Mr Teregulov said.

The bite had peeled open the top of his hand.

“I didn’t see the fish. I think it was a barracuda,” he added.

Mr Teregulov, a Moscow businessman, surfaced and boarded the 32-meter power yacht he was diving from and received first aid. Rope was used as a tourniquet to stem the bleeding and his wound was bandaged, he said.

Vice-Admiral Supot Pruksa, of the Third Naval Command in Phuket, said that the Royal Thai Navy received the call for help about 1:55 pm.

However, the pilot could not land at the rendezvous point on Island No 4, better known as Koh Miang, until about 4:15 pm due to poor weather.

Mr Teregulov was flown to Bangkok Hospital Phuket, where he is staying for several days’ recovery and observation.

V/Adm Supot said that it was likely Mr Teregulov was bitten by a moray eel.

Mr Teregulov, a frequent visitor to Phuket, said the incident would not deter him from returning. “Of course I’ll be back,” he laughed.

In April 2005, 32-year-old Matt Butcher of Stanstead, Essex, in England, had his left thumb bitten off and eaten by a giant moray eel while he was diving at the well-known East of Eden dive site in the Similan Islands.

http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/index.asp?id=5687

 

[naga]

Some idiots have to learn the "don't touch" thing the hard way....****

 

[josh]

“I saw some sand [shifting] like turbulence, and I swam very close and touched the bottom. That’s when a fish or something came out and bit me,” Mr Teregulov said.

Trigger fish maybe?
-j-

 

[h90]

Did the navy charge him, or let the fly him for free?

 

[santadive2001]

Rope was used as a tourniquet to stem the bleeding and his wound was bandaged, he said.
http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/index.asp?id=5687

He he -Efective First Aid...
-And the video of the other guy is still going around the world as proof of how stupid it is to feed fish!!!:no

 

[milktrayman]

what an idiot... sorry... this Russian guy thinks he's the next Steve Irwin.. sounds like a stingray's barb slicing the top of his hand... how do you say idiot in russian? IDIOTKA !

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

It doesn't sound like he was trying to touch anything but the sand, hoping to see what was causing the commotion. To me, that makes him less than prudent, but it doesn't sound like he was an idiot, to me. He wasn't trying to pet a moray eel, or hug a shark, or anything.

 

[Diver Dennis]

I agree Frank. It doesn't sound like he was harassing whatever did the damage.

 

[Bowmouth]

This Russian private yacht has been cruising and diving the Andaman Sea (Thailand and Myanmar) for a couple of seasons now. According to an eye witness the "divers" on the vessel frequently engage in spearfishing with scuba and harassing marine life.
It's sad Park Rangers do not physically check vessels entering the marine park and make sure divers stick to certain rules and regulations while being under water.

 

[sea nmf]

I like how everything is "giant" in the descriptions of these types of news bites. When they reported Irwin's accident, it was a "giant" ray, as well.