Oahu - Barracuda Attack

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http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=413&e=6&u=/kitv/20050723/lo_kitv/2841347

An attack by an aggressive fish, possibly a barracuda, sent a diver to an Oahu hospital Thursday night.

It happened at Kahana Bay on Oahu's Windward side at about 11:30 p.m.

A friend identified the victim as Piu Loumoli. The men were spearfishing and had flashlights on when the predator struck, the man said.

"This barracuda bypassed us and he said, 'What kind of fish is that?' I said, 'That's one barracuda or ono.' Then it came right into his midsection, right here. It went 'pewf' and then out," Braven Rivera said. "I couldn't believe it. I swim up to him. I looked and seen blood coming out of his shirt wetsuit."

Rivera said the fish left a 2-inch gash in Loumoli's chest.

Rescue crews were called after a police officer was flagged down.

Paramedics treated Loumoli and took him to the Queen's Medical Center for treatment.

[Powerhead]

Spearfishing at night....Sounds like fun!! :rolleyes:

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Spearfishing at night....Sounds like fun!! :rolleyes:

Lots of people spearfish at night in Hawaii. They would take underwater lights in the shallow reef and shoot tako (octopus) and uhu (parrotfish). I never did it because I didnt find shooting a sleeping uhu a sport. This guy must have woke up the barracuda because he was pissed enough to bite a diver. ;)

[element]

I guess it was a needlefish now...


Hospitalized Diver Describes Frightening Fish Attack

Fri Jul 29, 8:55 PM ET

A Mililani man Friday described how he survived a frightening attack by a mystery fish while he went spear diving one night last week.

Tonga Loumoli, 19, and a friend were night fishing at Kahana Bay when what appeared to be a 5-foot crocodile needlefish speared Loumoli's body.

Loumoli, who is 6 feet 1 inch tall and 225 pounds, required 45 stitches, showing just how powerful and aggressive the creature was.

"As I look at the water, I see something on the surface, real fast. And as I look down, all I see is eyes and teeth," Loumoli said. "It felt like a missile to the chest, or sledge hammer -- (like) somebody getting a sledgehammer and drilling it into your chest."

Loumoli said he feared death while the excruciating pain snatched the wind out of him.

"I said to myself, 'My Lord, if it's your will, let it be done,'" Loumoli said.

Braven Rivera rushed his bleeding fishing buddy back to shore. He then ran to a house and begged for the people inside to call 911. However, he said they ignored him.

Next, a frantic Rivera waited for a car to drive by.

"I was praying for a cop to come around the corner, and sure enough a cop came around the corner," Rivera said.

Loumoli suffered severe liver damage and internal bleeding. The needlefish even left behind a small tooth in his stomach.

Loumoli said he has had nightmares of the attack and that his faith will play a role in his road to recovery. But he said he wants to go fishing again. His mother is not so sure; she said his diving scares her.

He is scheduled to check out of the hospital on Friday or Saturday.

Story Here (http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=413&e=6&u=/ibsys/20050730/lo_kitv/2853817)