Shark attack victim doing 'great' despite bumpy drive

A woman is expected to be in hospital for another four to five days after being bitten by a shark. (HANDOUT/ScreenWest)

A woman who was mauled by a shark is in good spirits as she recovers in hospital a day after the attack.

Pamela Cook, 64, was taken to Mount Gambier hospital in a serious condition on Monday after a shark bit her leg at Beachport on South Australia's southeast coast.

Husband Greg said she was doing "great" despite several stitches and a long rehab ahead of her.

"Pam said the worst part of the whole thing was the drive from Beachport to Millicent," he told ABC Radio on Tuesday.

"The roads were atrocious."

Mr Cook said medical staff were trying to get her up and walking and believed she would be in hospital for four or five days.

"She'll be fine, she's tough," he said.

Police closed the beach on Monday as State Emergency Service crews searched for the offending shark, which has not been identified.

The beach reopened on Tuesday, with scores of holidaymakers still in the area enjoying the school break.

Mr Cook praised the efforts of rescuers who stepped in to get his wife out of the water and administer immediate medical care.

"We've got such a vibrant and good community down here," he said

"Everything went to plan, basically. If you're going to do a training drill, that's how it happens."

The attack comes after a 46-year-old man was killed by a shark in May at Walkers Rock Beach, about 365km west of Adelaide. 

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store