The Warning Signs Were There—Then The Shark Charged
What in thee Monday Madness? New Zealand fishing creator Henry Gibbs survived a terrifying grey reef shark attack during his first spearfishing dive in Fiji—and the entire charge was captured from his point of view.
The shark did not arrive with much warning once it committed. Footage from the encounter shows the animal racing toward Gibbs at startling speed before biting into his right lower leg, sending the camera spinning as the water around him turned chaotic.
SHARK ENCOUNTER
The Dive Changed In Seconds
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Gibbs had been diving with friends Colby and Dan when one grey reef shark began behaving differently from the others. He later said the shark started making tight semicircles beneath the group, became increasingly agitated and even made a fast run toward the boat.
Looking back, Gibbs said those changes should have been enough to end the dive. He initially underestimated the threat because of the shark’s size—a judgment he now calls a mistake.
Four Surgeries, A Skin Graft And One Very Lucky Leg
Colby and Dan pulled Gibbs from the water and treated the wound before he was rushed for medical care. The bite caused severe damage, but Gibbs retained full use of his foot and is expected to recover.
The injury ultimately required four surgeries and a skin graft. Gibbs later thanked both men for acting quickly, giving special credit to Dan for remaining by his side throughout the emergency.
Henry Gibbs Says He Has “No Hard Feelings”
Despite the severity of the attack, Gibbs has not turned the shark into a villain. He acknowledged that he was in the animal’s environment and hunting its food, describing the encounter as wrong place, wrong time.
He also said the noise from the boat, spearguns and activity in the water may have contributed to the shark’s increasingly agitated behavior, though he cannot know exactly what triggered the charge.
His biggest lesson is simple: do not ignore a shark whose behavior suddenly changes. If it becomes agitated, erratic or increasingly aggressive, end the dive. He also warned divers not to judge the level of danger by the shark’s size.
Gibbs additionally recommended plain black wetsuits in tropical waters after hearing about other grey reef shark incidents involving camouflage patterns. The experience, he said, left him feeling incredibly fortunate and with a much greater appreciation for life.
Watch The Grey Reef Shark Attack Henry Gibbs In Fiji
Warning: The following footage is graphic. The video shows the shark accelerating toward Gibbs, the bite and the immediate effort to get him safely out of the water.
Source: Henry Gibbs. Video via Daily Mail.
