LUCKY TO LIVE

Brit, 64, 'lost fingers' in mauling by bull shark that struck in waist-deep water on Tobago

- SASKIA ROWLANDS

HORRIFIED onlookers have relived the moment a Brit was savagely attacked by a deadly bull shark.

The 10ft monster is thought to have sunk its teeth into one of Peter Smith's legs and the father of two is said to have lost several fingers in the mauling.

Last night, the retired IT worker, 64, was still in intensive care although his condition was described as stable.

A local Caribbean hotelier told this newspaper: "He's lucky to be alive."

Mr Smith and other swimmers were in waist-deep water just 30ft from the shore of Tobago's Turtle Beach when the shark struck at about 9am local time.

Fellow British tourist Stephanie Wright said: "I saw a dorsal fin come out of the water and thought, 'Oh my God, it's a shark'."