Hero who saved mate from shark attack three years ago now battles for his life after being attacked by a bull shark.

On Sunday, 59-year-old Rick Bettua, was taken to hospital in critical condition after being attacked by a shark. The former US navy dive master was bitten on the thigh by a suspected bull shark while spearfishing along the Great Barrier Reef around midday.  

Bettua and a friend were diving at Britomart Reef at Lucinda, 120km north of Townsville when the attack took occurred.

“He had sustained a significant bite to his upper left thigh and had also suffered significant blood loss,” critical care paramedic Ruiyi Yin told Sunrise. She also noted that Bettua’s life was almost definitely saved by his mate. “He was able to apply a makeshift tourniquet prior to any medical crew arrival and no doubt that contributed significantly to saving his life,” she said.  

He was taken in critical condition to Townsville University Hospital and had no pulse upon arrival. He was stabilised and is awaiting life saving surgery in an induced coma.

This isn’t Bettua’s first run in with a shark. Three years ago he was one of three men directly credited for saving the life of Glenn Dickson, who was attacked by a shark while spearfishing off Cardwell. While Dickson lost a leg in the attack, his three mates, including Bettua, were able to rescue him, get him to shore and stifle the bleeding.

Bettua’s brother has asked members of the local community to pray for his brother’s recovery.  

Would you jump into the water to rescue a mate from a shark attack? Have you ever had any close encounters with sharks?