British man injured after Tobago shark attack

A British man has been seriously injured after being attacked by a shark on the Caribbean island Tobago.

The 64-year-old is receiving critical care in hospital after his left hand to elbow and left thigh were severed, and he suffered a laceration to the stomach, according to a local official.

He is said to have been attacked 10 metres off the shore in Courland Bay at 09:15 (14:15 BST) on Friday.

The Foreign Office said it was supporting the victim's family.

The incident involved a bull shark and the victim is receiving critical care at Scarborough General Hospital, according to a statement on the Facebook page for the Tobago House of Assembly's chief secretary Farley C. Augustine.

Eyewitness Orion Jakerov, water sports manager at the nearby Starfish Hotel, said other people in the water were "physically trying to fight off the shark".

He told the local broadcaster TTT Live: "I don't think they saw it. They were about waist height in the water so they weren't out of their depth. I think their backs were turned and they were just kind of lounging around. Nobody saw the shark coming."

Authorities closed seven beaches and the nearby Buccoo Reef Marine Park tourist attraction as a precaution after the incident, according to local reports.

Mr Augustine said: "Unfortunately, a visitor to the island was attacked by shark earlier this morning in the vicinity of the Starfish Hotel.

"The Chief Secretary has spoken to the British High Commissioner."