Teen-ager loses right foot to shark in attack

Associated Press, 10/29/97 16:54

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) - A 10-foot tiger shark bit off a teen-age surfer's right foot Tuesday.

Mike Coots, 18, screamed warnings to surfers nearby as he fought off the shark by repeatedly punching it.

Doctors said two others may have saved Coots' life by tying the leash from a bodyboard around his leg to stem the bleeding.

Coots, who had been bodyboarding with other members of a Christian surf team, was listed in fair condition.

Several beaches were shut down, but state officials decided against calling out a task force to hunt the shark.