Advertisement

Husband hailed 'hero' after fighting off 'eight-foot' shark that mauled his wife

Frankie Gonsalves was snorkelling with her husband when she was attacked
Frankie Gonsalves was snorkelling with her husband when she was attacked

A "hero" husband has been praised after he fought off a shark “almost three metres in length” to stop it attacking his wife in the South Atlantic.

Frankie Gonsalves, originally believed to be from London, was set upon while swimming off the west coast of Africa.

The mother-of-two was snorkelling with her husband Dean when the shark clamped onto her leg before he reportedly punched it to scare it away.

A man who described himself as Mrs Gonsalves’ brother praised him for “heroically” confronting the eight foot creature near English Bay on Ascension Island on Saturday.

Matthew Benjamin wrote on social media: “God bless my little sister Frankie Gonsalves - now famous in every major newspaper - who was attacked by a shark almost 3 metres in length while swimming in Ascension Island with her husband Dean Gonsalves.

The woman was savaged by a shark while swimming with her husband (Shutterstock)
The woman was savaged by a shark while swimming with her husband (Shutterstock)

“Dean heroically managed to save her life, and she is awaiting air evacuation home from the RAF for more surgery.

“She is going to be ok, miraculously. Words can’t describe how grateful I am that my little blister is still here to tell the tale. Utterly terrifying!”

Mrs Gonslaves, a member of the St Helena government, was taken to Georgetown Hospital on Ascension Island, before being airlifted for treatment in the UK.

St Helena is a British Overseas Territory, 1,150 miles off the west coast of Africa.

The extent of her injuries is unclear. A witness said the shark also attacked her husband, though it is not known if he was also injured.

The St Helena government has warned swimmers they take to the water at their own risk.

In a statement they said: “The person concerned was swimming near the shore and her injuries were attended to at the Georgetown Hospital.

“An emergency aero-medical flight is being arranged to transport the patient from Ascension Island to receive medical treatment in the UK.

“Ascension Island Government has released a warning notice advising people that swimming in the area is to be undertaken at their own risk.”