Shark attack survivor grateful for Tobago’s hospitality and care

Peter Smith, the British national who fell victim to a shark attack in Tobago back in April has recovered and has everything good to say about the care and hospitality he received on the island following the incident.

The 64-year-old man was attacked on April 26 by a bull shark not too far from the shoreline at Turtle Beach. He was initially treated for severe injuries at the Scarborough General Hospital and was later transferred to another hospital in Miami where he spent five weeks. 

In a post on its social media page on Thursday (November 14), the Office of the Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) noted that staff caught up with Smith at the recently concluded World Travel Market in London.

In a shared video, Smith said he visited the island with a large group comprising 16 people. He said they thoroughly enjoyed all of the activities on the island including golf, swimming and fishing. He explained that on the very last day, he was attacked by the shark and required immediate assistance.

Smith said he was nothing short of grateful for what happened next:

“I got quickly taken to the hospital in Tobago and I have to thank all of the doctors and the nurses at the Tobago hospital for saving my life. I also have to thank all of the people because the people were really kind to my family there. They looked after my family really well,” he said. 

Smith said despite the single bad incident he experienced in terms of the attack, his liking for the island remains unchanged.

“I really do like Tobago despite what happened. I thought it was a beautiful place with really nice people…and would I go back again…yea, I’d go back,” he added.