Brit’s horror injuries after wild dolphin attack left her ‘fighting for life’
Don’t miss a thing! Sign up to the Daily Star’s newsletter
We have more newsletters
A dolphin attack at Bolivia’s Santa Rosa de Yacuma left a British holiday-maker fighting for her life after contracting an infection.
Claire Bye, 28, went in the river with the wild pink river dolphins after she dropped a bottle into the water.
She had been using the bottles to interact with the dolphins from her pontoon, following encouragement from local tour guides.
READ MORE: William and Charles have 'no intention' of making apology to Harry before coronation
Recalling the incident, she told The Mirror: “It suddenly lunged at me. It had a huge beak with a mouthful of spiky teeth.
“I screamed, but it wouldn’t let go. I’ve never felt pain like it.”
The mammal continued to bite down on her foot as those nearby tried to pull Claire out the water.
Once out of the water and free from the dolphin, Claire saw that her foot had sustained significant injuries, which consequently led to two infections.
Claire said: “My skin was flapping around and I could see my bone.
“I kept thinking I was going to lose my foot.”
Following the incident she was taken to a nearby local hospital with basic facilities. where she received 32 stitches.
Claire said the hospital was "like a farmyard" and following her treatment she developed a potentially fatal infection.
On her return to the UK, the holiday-goer contracted yet another dangerous infection, which meant she had to undergo surgery to replace skin tissue on her foot by using tissue from her groin.
The Brit is one of a few people to have been involved in recent dolphin attacks in the area.
In response, authorities have said they are investigating the attacks and have constructed warning signs.
Since the incident Claire has been experiencing flashbacks of the attack.
The incident has also affected her mobility and left her unable to return to work.
“I used to really love wild swimming and hope to be able to do it in the future, but I’ll never swim with dolphins again,” she said.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.
READ NEXT:
Prison guards ordered to join 'sensitivity' classes so they don't insult sex offenders
Brit brutally tortured by Russians left with 'muscles popping out' and 'inflated legs'
Polish police respond to woman claiming to be Madeleine McCann
- Holidays from Hell
- Animals
Source: Read Full Article
