Brazilian surfer recovering in hospital

Brazil’s David do Carmo had to be taken to hospital after a bad bail in his fourth round heat in the Mr Price Pro this afternoon.

Do Carmo was taking on Adrian Buchan and Jonathan Gonzalez in heat seven of round three when he took a tumble.

“He was hurt when he tried to land a difficult aerial,” said Mr Price’s head of communications Pierre Tostee.

The Courier met Tostee at Alberlito hospital for an update on the surfer.

“After the incident he walked out of the sea and gave a thumbs up. Afterwards he was stabilised on a stretcher and given oxygen by paramedics,” said Tostee.

“It looks like his knee or his board hit him right on his mouth and nose. He had to get stitches to stop the bleeding.”

Tostee confirmed that Do Carmo is in a good state and was awake and talking in the hospital.

“He is going for x-rays to see if he has any fractures. He’s doing alright though, obviously he is quite sore.”

Do Carmo was lucky that his early exit from his heat was during the no-loser round of 24. He automatically progressed in round 4 but looks unlikely to surf again tomorrow.

That means that American Michael Dunphy, who was to face Do Carmo in round 4, will progress straight to the round 16.

“I do not think he will surf tomorrow,” Tostee said.