Mark Wahlberg considers legal action against San Diego Aquarium after giant octopus attacks his son

[Amerigo Vespucci]

"Hey, octopus, how's it hanging? I just want to talk with you. Say hello to your mother."

Mark Wahlberg's Son Attacked By 'Giant' Octopus
August 6th, 2010 11:19am EDT post comment Post a comment favorite Add to My News

Mark Wahlberg is considering taking legal action against bosses of a public aquarium in San Diego, California, after a "giant" captive octopus attacked his son.

The Hollywood actor and his model wife Rhea Durham were on family holiday with their four kids, but the trip took a frightening turn at the Sea Life Aquarium in Carlsbad - when an aggressive sea creature latched on to Durham, their four-year old son Michael, and the family's tour guide. Wahlberg recalled the incident during an interview on David Letterman's late night TV show on Thursday.

He said: "We have a tour guide so she's like, 'You have a special treat today, we'll be able to take you behind the tank and you'll be able to see the octopus...' So this women pulls out this gigantic octopus, the thing latches on to my son's arm. It's got my wife, (it's) wrapped completely around the lady, and another guy's just standing there. They can't get this octopus off. My son is freaking out but no sound is coming out of his mouth. So finally we rip the thing off of him. He's got all these suction marks that look like about 30 little hickeys (bruises). The lady can't get out, she's yelling for help... He (the aquarium manager) said it's never been that aggressive."

However, as the audience laughed at Wahlberg's dramatic storytelling, Letterman urged the actor to take legal action - and the star admitted he may soon be filing suit.

He said: "We haven't filed yet but if you could recommend a good lawyer... Once the woman who handles the octopus starts freaking out I knew there was a problem. She couldn't even get away from the thing. She had to have help come running in. Once I got my kid out of there I said, 'Let's go!' I left the lady there. That's her problem."

http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2010/08/06/mark_wahlbergs_son_attacked_by_giant_o

[katandmoon]

1. The one I feel sorry for is the stressed out octopus.

[cherokeeprogressive]

2. "I left the lady there. That's her problem." Big man. n/t

[jobycom]

8. Sounds like the interview was tongue-in-cheek.

She was with the trainer, who would be better able to help her than a rapper/actor who's trying to take care of his kid and who has never played Captain Nemo before. I don''t think anything in Boogie Nights really prepared him for cephalopod combat. If it only had five arms, maybe...

[tularetom]

3. "I left the lady there. That's her problem."

What a man.

[hughee99]

4. The Octopus couldn't help it, it was wicked excited to meet Maakey Maak. n/t

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

5. So, Mark Wahlberg's family will win the next World Cup? -nt

[joeybee12]

6. Yeah, like I'm gonan believe his version of the story...

...yeah, like actors don't embellish and are overly dramatic.

Poor octopus.

[xultar]

7. It is an animal things happen. If he sues he's an idiot.

[mackerel]

9. Actually it was bad policy on the Aquarium's part

and my guess is that there has now been a change in procedure with more
defined safety measures put in place.

I feel bad for the four year old son.

[Mimo78]

15. Still amazed that it is possible

I'm always amazed about the things people in America bring to trial. Perhaps, next time I get sick from a mc burger, I'll apply for a green card to become a US citizen and sue the fast food company for it ^^

[Forkboy]

10. New Squid on the Block.

[XanaDUer]

11. Ha!

Good one! :)

How nice and gallant of him to leave the woman to fend for herself, though.

[Bluenorthwest]

13. 'the woman' was a trained professional in her work place

He who let her 'fend for herself' had a 4 year old to see to, and no expertise at all in terms of tanks, animals, etc.
Do you really expect untrained guests to leap into tanks and disarm the creature, as it were? Why? How would he know what to do, or what not to do?
Would you have helped an aquarium professionnal, surrounded by professionals, when you are totally untrained and might harm both human and animal without need? Why?

[Bluenorthwest]

12. I saw this yesterday, it was told as a humorous story

and I am surprised how many miss the fact that asking Letterman to rec a good lawyer is also a huge joke. Mark has access to legal advice you see. Dave has had public need of lawyers of late. It was a joke.
Of course the aquarium was in the wrong, but man, the lawyer crack was a joke.

[Fire Walk With Me]

14. Drunk octopus tries to say "I love you man!" to buddies, alienates everyone