Henri Bource
Australian shark attack survivor (1934–1998)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Henri Bource (25 March 1934 – 4 September 1998) was an Australian scuba diver, underwater filmmaker, musician and shark attack survivor.[1][2][3][4] In 1964, he was attacked by a great white shark, losing his left leg. In his 1969 documentary film Savage Shadows, he recreated the scene of the attack.[5]
Henri Bource | |
|---|---|
| Born | 25 March 1934 |
| Died | 4 September 1998 (aged 64) Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupations | Scuba diver, filmmaker, musician |
| Known for | Survivor of a shark attack |
| Notable work | Savage Shadows |
Early life
Bource was born in the Netherlands and emigrated to Australia as a teenager in 1954.[6] He learned to use an aqualung with his father[7] and trained as a graphic artist.[6]
Shark attack
Bource was attacked by what is believed to have been a 2.4 metre long great white shark off Lady Julia Percy Island in Australia in November 1964. He was 30 years old at the time,[8] and was living in Hawthorn East. He lost his left leg but survived the attack and went on to retell the story in his 1969 documentary film, Savage Shadows.[5][9][10][11] He continued to dive, wearing a modified diving fin on the stump of his left leg.[12] During the 1970s he made a short film for BHP and Esso called Reef of Steel[13] and appeared in Island Treasure in 1981.[14] He was interviewed at various times about his shark attack, including by Peter Luck in 1979.[15]
Music career
Bource was a saxophonist and band leader of the Henri Bource Allstars.[16] He also played with the Thunderbirds (1960–62), The Planets and The Johnny Donohue Quartet.[17]