NY Banker Survives Shark Attack But Loses Half Of Leg

The family of a 36-year-old man whose leg was mauled by a man-eating shark and later amputated is considering taking legal action against the resort in the Bahamas where they vacationed, claiming frightened lifeguards ignored his cry for help.

Wall Street banker Krishna Thompson of Central Islip, Long Island in New York was recently attacked during what was supposed to be a quick early morning swim in the waters off Freeport, Grand Bahamas, where he and his wife, Ave Maria, were celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary.

Thompson fought off the man-eating shark with his bare hands before he managed to swim to shore on the beach of the Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort where they were staying. He scribbled his hotel room number, 4149, in the sand after he crawled out of the water with his leg mangled. He then passed out from shock and blood loss.

The shark tore off most of the soft tissue on Thompson's leg, severing nerves and arteries. The shark's teeth came just short of the bone, leaving muscle and fat hanging from shreds of skin.

Dr. Rolando Corral, a surgeon at Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport who was walking on the beach at the time, was the first doctor on the scene. He told the morning news program the "Today Show" that lifeguards were already treating Thompson by applying a tourniquet to his leg. Dr. Corral then instructed the lifeguards to put the victim's head down and leg up to prevent further blood loss.

"I'm really surprised by his incredible courage and fighting spirit," said Dr. Corral.

After he was treated at a local hospital, Thompson was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami where his left leg was amputated just above the knee.

During a press conference at the hospital, Ave Maria, a 34-year-old assistant district attorney, told reporters that her husband's screams for help went unanswered by the lifeguards as he swam back to shore.

"One of the first things he said to me when they removed the ventilator was that he was screaming and they wouldn't come. He had to swim to them. When you scream for help and you're a lifeguard, you're supposed to get in there. You're supposed to try to help," she said.

Taneil Joseph and Leroy Noel, the two lifeguards on the beach that day, gave a conflicting account. The resort employees told the morning news show "Good Morning America" that they did not hesitate but "went into effect immediately."

"He was very afraid," said Noel. "When I pulled him up I could see the fear in his eyes. Someone being afraid in that state would not have known if someone is moving toward him at a fast or a slow rate. They're in a state where they can't judge ... We still have Mr. Thompson in our prayers right now hoping that he pulls through."

Thompson's wife told "Good Morning America" that she's grateful for the prayers of the lifeguards, but that's not good enough. She also said that they are considering a lawsuit and have hired attorney Johnnie Cochran.

Trauma surgeon Dr. Nicholas Namias said that Thompson is "lucky to be alive."

"The injuries that he had, he should have bled to death right there in the Bahamas on the beach," he said.

At JET press time Thompson was in critical but stable condition following the amputation. Dr. Namias said Thompson should be able to leave the hospital and go into physical rehabilitation a week after the surgery.

Ave Maria told reporters that she let her husband know that he could still run and dance again with the help of prosthetics. She also asked him if there's anything that he wanted or needed that she could bring him. He wrote her a note that simply said "a leg."