In New South Wales, Kai McKenzie, 23, was riding the waves at North Shore Beach on July 23, near Port Macquarie.
McKenzie appeared to be the only surfer in the crystal-clear water when, around 11 a.m., witnesses reported seeing him quickly paddling to shore before a white shark struck.
Seeing the shark approach, McKenzie managed to fight it off, but unfortunately lost part of his right leg. Despite his surfboard being torn into three pieces, he was able to ride the waves back to shore.
A retired police officer, who was walking his dog, came to the surfer’s aid and used his dog’s leash as a tourniquet to stem the bleeding.
Emergency responders stabilized McKenzie before he was airlifted to the hospital.
His severed leg was later recovered at the beach, placed in ice, and sent to the hospital by police escort. It is currently unknown if surgeons were able to reattach the limb.
Leaked video appears to show the moment McKenzie was attacked by the massive shark.
McKenzie appears to be in good spirits and plans to get back in the water.
“Man ohh f*cking man to be here right now just to f*cking be able to hold my beautiful Eve and my family is everything to me. A few days ago, I went through a crazy shark attack (biggest shark I’ve ever seen), which was a very crazy scene and scared the living f*ck out of me. But to all you f*cking kind-hearted people, all you legends, to anyone and everyone, all your support has meant the absolute world to me,” he wrote on Instagram.
“It’s so cool to see so many beautiful people support me. There are so many messages to get back to, but I wanted to say a massive thanks to everyone for your generous donations on the GoFundMe page. We are so very grateful for everything. I can tell you now, if you know my personality, this means f*ck all. I’ll be back in that water in no time! BIG F*CK OFF TO THAT SHARK and BIG THANKS to Steve for saving my life.”
The GoFundMe page stated that he had surgery at John Hunter Hospital and is in stable condition.
Several other ocean users have been attacked by sharks in the country this year.
Ryan Lowther, 41, was surfing off Trigg Beach on July 17, off the Western Australia coast. Around 5:30 p.m., he was preparing to catch his last wave of the day when a large set of waves came in.
Lowther ducked under the waves, and as he started to hop back on his board, a small shark grabbed his left ankle.
After warning another surfer in the water, he caught a wave in and drove himself to the hospital.
X-rays showed a piece of tooth was left in the wound, and after receiving treatment, Lowther was sent home. He hopes the tooth fragment will dislodge and he can keep it as a souvenir.
A spearfisherman nearly lost his hand to a shark.
Jesse Bailey, 43, was attacked by what’s thought to be a bronze whaler July 8 off the coast of 14 Mile Beach while spearfishing.
Bailey surfaced after an estimated 4 to 6-foot shark bit into his hand. His friend saw him surface after the attack and pulled him onboard the boat. He was taken back to the remote stretch of coast in WA’s Gascoyne and then to a nurse’s station. Due to the remote location, he was forced to stay overnight at the nursing station before being flown to Perth for surgery at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
A surfer nearly lost his toes to a tiger shark.
Augustin Sanchez, 27, was surfing at the Bombie spot on May 20 near the tourist town of Exmouth in WA’s northwest. After being in the water for about 20 minutes, he felt a tug on his foot and saw a 4- to 6-foot tiger shark nipping at his toes. He quickly pulled his foot up and began to panic, fearing the blood would attract more sharks.
After regaining his composure, he headed to shore and then to the hospital. The backpacker required several surgeries to repair tendons in his foot, but is thankful he still has his toes.
A teen was bitten by a great white shark he caught.
Nathan Ness, 16, was fishing with his family April 24 near Glenelg, South Australia, when he caught a small great white shark. After pulling the shark in, his father helped dehook it, as they heard that sharks have difficulty eating with hooks left in their mouth. After dehooking, Nathan posed for a photo when the shark grabbed his left leg. He was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for treatment of three deep lacerations.
Fisheries have opened an investigation as great white sharks are a protected species.
A sea lion encounter brought a tiger shark injury.
A tourist was critically injured by a tiger shark on Feb. 26 off Sandland Island. The unidentified tourist was participating in a sea lion swim encounter.
The 46-year-old was in waist-deep water around 11:30 a.m. when a nearly 7-foot tiger shark grabbed her left leg. Crew members helped the injured woman back onto the vessel and applied a tourniquet on her leg. She was taken to shore and flown to the hospital in stable condition.
All locations have been marked on the 2024 Shark Attack Map
