Surfing instructor, 63, attacked by shark says she's "not giving up"

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Surfing instructor, 63, attacked by shark says she's 'not giving up'
Surfing instructor, 63, attacked by shark says she's 'not giving up'


A 63-year-old surfing instructor was attacked by a shark during a lesson with a 10-year-old student.

Barbara Corey from North Carolina said she was only worried about her student's safety when the shark emerged from the water and ripped into her ankle on the North Carolina coast.

"I was just concerned more about Cassandra, getting her in safely," Corey told ABC News.

"I was just thankful that there was a foot there."

According to WHAS11, the shark bit into Corey's right foot for around 30 seconds and left the experienced surfer with serious puncture wounds.

"It was really painful, very painful," Corey told WWAY-TV. "It was like somebody had clamped my ankle in a vise grip, and was tightening the screws. Then it started thrashing around. My foot is being thrashed around and I am kicking and kicking."

Corey told her young student Cassandra to paddle to shore to avoid being bitten by the shark and while Cassandra's brother helped her get out of the water, her mother ran to help Corey.

Cassandra's mother Christina Calloway said Corey was her "lifelong hero" for helping to save her daughter's life.

Corey's doctor told ABC News that she will be out of the water for at least five months.

But Barbara is not worried about being attacked again after the terrifying ordeal.

"I'm not giving it up," she told WWAY-TV. "After 50 years, why stop now?"




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