I take it this puppy's from the Atlantic
Posted on 07/25/2005 11:02:03 AM PDT by nickcarraway
HONOLULU - A 19-year-old Mililani man is recovering at Queen's Medical Center after being impaled by what he says was a barracuda.
Tonga "Piu" Loumoli was night diving off Kahana Bay near Kaaawa in Windward Oahu late Thursday night when a four-foot-long fish charged into his stomach. The fish wiggled loose, but left behind a six-inch-long gash and a tooth.
A fishing buddy put Loumoli in a small dinghy and dragged him nearly a mile to shore and flagged down a police officer who called for help.
Marine expert Craig Thomas said he has never heard of a barracuda charging into a swimmer. He said it seems more likely that Loumoli was impaled by a needlefish.
But Loumoli, who has been night diving since his freshman year in high school, is adamant that he was attacked by a barracuda.
His fishing companion, Braven Rivera, said he saw the fish clearly and agreed it was a barracuda. The tooth could solve the mystery, Thomas said.
Loumoli was reported in serious condition in the hospital's intensive care unit where he was being treated for a serious liver injury. He is on a machine to help his breathing and cannot talk.
But he scribbled a note to his mother and sister saying, "I'm going to quit diving."
Damn. Just when I think I'm pretty brave, I read stuff like your post and realize what a friggin pussy I really am.
If it was a barracuda I would think shiny belt buckle. In Key West I knew of a guy who was cleaning fish and put his knife in the water to clean it and a 'cuda took off his hand.
I have caught many fish heads that started out as a whole fish until the barracuda took the other half.
But I have been in the water with whole schools and no big deal.
Only problem with this story is the Pacific Barracuda is a bit more docile than the Atlantic.
Now THAT'S funny!
Please, can we have TLAP Day on FR? (all articles posted thru the translator, of course)
I've caught barracuda off the reef in Waimanalo numerous times. Lots of those long toothy fishies out there!
I take it this puppy's from the Atlantic
Some fish just dont like lights
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