14 DAY TRIAL // Over the weekend, a man in California, US, came pretty darn close to losing his life when a sea lion attacked him without warning and dragged him into the water, keeping him submerged for what must have felt like an eternity.
Luckily, the man escaped and his friends rushed him to a local hospital. Here, doctors patched up his injuries and did their best to help him get over the shock he experienced when the sea lion jumped him. He should soon make a full recovery.
The sea lion wasn't really aiming for the man
It is understood that this sea lion attack occurred this past Sunday in the waters of the Hyatt Mission Bay Marina in the city of San Diego in California, US.
At the time the aquatic mammal attacked him, the 62-year-old man and some of his friends were minding their business relaxing on a boat, snapping photos of themselves with a trophy fish.
Apparently, it was the fish that sparked the sea lion's attention. Thus, the only reason the 62-year-old became a target was that, when the sea lion zoomed in on the fish, he was the one holding it.
Having jumped out of the water, the animal tried to grab the fish and make a run for it. The elderly man inadvertently got in the sea lion's way and so became a victim himself.
The 62-year-old barely escaped with his life
Witnesses say that the sea lion's unexpected attack sent the man overboard and into the water. According to the LA Times, the 62-year-old spent about 15 to 20 seconds submerged at a depth of about 20 feet (6 meters) before finally resurfacing.
He didn't drown, but as mentioned, he suffered severe injuries to his arms and feet. The good news is that neither of his wounds is life-threatening. Hence, doctors reassure that the man should soon make a full recovery.