Marlin Deere Wakeman, a 24-year-old Florida native, miraculously survived a shark attack that left him with injuries to his knee and shoulder. Despite the scary ordeal, Wakeman was able to pull himself back into a boat after being bitten by two sharks at the Flying Fish Marina in the Bahamas. He recounted the terrifying experience, recalling how he slipped and fell into the water, knowing he was in danger as soon as the sharks started biting him. Wakeman managed to stay calm and act quickly to escape from the sharks.
Reflecting on the attack, Wakeman described how the first shark pulled him under before eventually releasing him, allowing him to resurface. The second shark then bit him on the shoulder, causing him to feel pressure but initially not pain. Despite his injuries, Wakeman was able to summon the adrenaline needed to drag himself back into the boat and call for help. His captain applied a tourniquet and elevated his leg, allowing for him to be transported to a clinic. Despite experiencing significant pain once the adrenaline wore off, Wakeman managed to remain relatively stoic through the ordeal.
Following the shark attack, Wakeman was flown back to Florida for further medical treatment. Dr. Robert Borrego, the trauma medical director at St. Mary’s Medical Center, commended Wakeman’s survival instincts and emphasized that it was remarkable that he escaped without losing a leg. Despite the severity of the attack, Wakeman is expected to make a full recovery after undergoing some rehabilitation. His father, Rufus Wakeman, expressed gratitude for the quick actions of those who assisted his son, noting the terrifying nature of shark attacks he had witnessed in the past.
Looking towards the future, Wakeman expressed a desire to return to the water, indicating that he does not anticipate being haunted by his near-death experience for long. He acknowledged that he may have some nightmares but remains optimistic about his recovery and prospects for returning to his usual activities. Wakeman’s survival story serves as a testament to his resilience and the quick thinking of those who came to his aid, ensuring that he made it through the ordeal with his life intact. The ordeal at the marina serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of encountering predators in the wild but also highlights the human capacity for survival in extraordinary circumstances.
