2/21/08
A 26-year-old Tahitian man has survived a shark attack while fishing in a coral lagoon.

Apia Hauata was spear-fishing underwater when the shark bit his face.

"He suffered considerable wounds to the face including to the jaw and lower-lip with several punctures to the skin" - Dr Ronan RichardRelatives immediately rushed him to the local hospital where doctors stitched up his puncture wounds.

Dr Ronan Richard said: "The shark attacked as he was catching fish, he had fish around him and on him.

"He had no way to prevent the attack as the fish surrounded him and attracted the shark.

"He suffered considerable wounds to the face including to the jaw and lower-lip with several punctures to the skin."

But Mr Hauata was lucky this time and is expected to recover quickly from his wounds.

ITN