I'm grateful to be alive: South coast spear fisherman speaks
A south coast spear fisherman who accidentally shot himself in the face with a spear gun last week says he is grateful to be alive.
Connie Hallowell had been spear fishing at Scottburgh on Friday when the accident happened.
He says he had left his gun lying next to him when a big wave knocked it against a reef.
"With that motion, the spear went off and shot through my head. I was able to stand and call for help while walking backwards," he explained.
"It was also to keep myself knowing that I was alive. Some fishermen came out to my rescue and then the paramedics."
Hallowell, who has been spear fishing for 10 years, says he is recovering well.
He was airlifted to hospital.
NOW READ: KZN spear fisherman airlifted to hospital following horror head injury
The 48-year-old pastor from Umkomaas says the day of the incident was a terrible day to go fishing to begin with.He says he had left his gun lying next to him when a big wave knocked it against a reef.
"With that motion, the spear went off and shot through my head. I was able to stand and call for help while walking backwards," he explained.
"It was also to keep myself knowing that I was alive. Some fishermen came out to my rescue and then the paramedics."
Hallowell, who has been spear fishing for 10 years, says he is recovering well.
He was discharged from the hospital yesterday, after a successful surgery.
ALSO READ: Woman drowns after slipping off rocks at Margate beach
"Apparently it was very easy. The surgeon was able to remove the piece
of the spear that was left without it doing any further damage."
The path the spear took missed some vital areas," he said.
Hallowell says doctors have cleared him to begin snorkeling again in about two weeks.
He says he has been spear fishing for about 10 years.
"I'm just one of those guys who loves being in the water."
ALSO READ: 'There was so much blood in my mask, I couldn’t see,' says South coast spear fisherman
