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British Tourist Flown to Ireland for Emergency Hand Surgery After Jamaican Shark Attack

Nightmares persist for Rachel and Lisa Smith after the unexpected attack in waters flagged safe for swimming

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Overview

  • On May 8, 26-year-old Rachel Smith was bitten by a metre-long reef shark while paddling in hip-deep water off Rose Hall beach in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
  • The attack severed her ring finger and caused ruptured tendons, nerves and disconnected ligaments in her left hand.
  • Local hospitals quoted steep fees and had no surgeon available for two weeks, prompting Rachel and her sister Lisa to cut their holiday short and fly to Cork, Ireland.
  • Surgeons at Cork University Hospital performed emergency plastic surgery to repair the extensive damage to her hand.
  • She and her sister continue to suffer nightmares, with doctors projecting about 18 months for her to fully regain movement in her hand.