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American Morning

Woman Attacked by Shark in North Carolina Improving, But Still Listed as Critical

Aired September 05, 2001 - 11:13   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Investigators are still trying to figure out what kind of shark and how many of them ferociously attacked a couple in the surf of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina on Monday. The man in that case was killed and his girlfriend was very badly hurt. She is now under the care of doctors of Sentera Norfolk General Hospital in Virginia, and that is where we find our medical news correspondent Rea Blakey.

Rea, how is she doing now?

REA BLAKEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Leon, the latest update on the patient actually turns out to be very good news. She is now off the ventilator. That was a breathing tube which was sent down into her lungs to help stabilize her. She is in fact still listed in critical condition, but is stabile. Doctors say it is a very good that she is now off the ventilator, even though she still has a very long way to go before she actually enters any kind of rehab.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. JEFFREY RIBLET, TRAUMA SURGEON: This morning, I was able to talk with her a little bit. She was able to nod, tell me that she wasn't hurting, tell me that she was certainly ready for that tube to be out of her throat, and so I think this thing shows good sign for her. She's really progressing nicely.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLAKEY: The doctors are indicated there's a fairly good prognosis here. The question will really become later whether or not they're able to establish any good function in her left leg, in which she lost her left foot in that shark attack.

So, Leon, things are progressing somewhat slowly, but doctors say, pretty much as anticipated, and they're quite happy with the patient's progress.

HARRIS: All right, good deal. Let's hope it stays that way. Continues getting better and better.

Rea Blakey, thanks very much.

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