DEL MAR, Calif.—Two San Diego County residents who helped save a man who was attacked by a shark in the waters off Del Mar will be awarded the Carnegie Medal, which recognizes civilians who perform acts of heroism, it was announced Monday.
Kevin Barrett, 51, of San Diego, and Cameron Whiting, 31, of Encinitas, are credited with guiding a wounded swimmer to shore after the man was bitten by a juvenile great white shark on June 2.
The victim, 46-year-old Caleb Adams, was among more than a dozen people taking part in an open-water swim when he was bitten by the 9-foot-long shark. Adams sustained lacerations to his chest, leg, and hand, but was able to punch the shark and fight it off.
After the attack, Barrett and Whiting swam over to Adams and provided aid.
According to the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, Barrett pulled Adams on top of him and began backstroking towards the shore. Barrett and Whiting then placed Adams onto a nearby surfer’s surfboard and Whiting pushed the board towards the shore.
Once on land, the men helped Adams onto the back of a lifeguard truck.
Adams lost a third of his blood, underwent emergency surgery, and was hospitalized for three days, but has since recovered, according to the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission.
Barrett and Whiting are among 18 people to be awarded the Carnegie Medal, in what is the Hero Fund’s third round of award announcements this year.
