Harrowing footage surfaced showing Australian surfer, 23-year-old Kai McKenzie, being viciously attacked by a great white shark that savagely tore off his leg at North Shore Beach in Port Macquarie.
In the shocking video , you can see the great white closing in on McKenzie as he frantically tries to paddle away. However, his efforts were futile against the colossal predator, which dragged him beneath the waves in a ferocious assault.
In an incredible turn of events, McKenzie survived, but the shark's bite was so severe that his leg was completely severed. His limb eventually washed ashore, while the brave surfer miraculously made it back to land.
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A quick-thinking, off-duty cop used his dog's leash as an impromptu tourniquet to control the bleeding until help arrived. Quick-thinking bystanders sprang into action, packing the limb in ice while awaiting emergency services. Paramedics then air-lifted both Kai and his leg to Port Macquarie Base Hospital, before he was transferred to a specialist trauma center over 120 miles away.
According to The Daily Telegraph, in a race against time, Kai's leg made an unusual journey by ferry across the Hastings River in an effort to reattach it, although it remains unconfirmed if the surgery has taken place, as per a report by The Sun.
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Local experts have posited that a 10-foot-long great white shark might be responsible for the attack, with officials confirming sightings of a tagged great white in the area around Coffs Harbour on Monday and Tuesday. Undeterred by the ordeal, Kai remains upbeat about his future in surfing, vowing that he will be "back in the water in no time."
Following this nightmare encounter and amid his recovery from these grave injuries, the gutsy surfer took a moment to express his raw emotions and gratitude on Instagram: "Man ohh f------ man to be here right now just to f------ 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--- out of me," McKenzie recounted.
He continued with heartfelt thanks for the overwhelming support. "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," he gratefully acknowledged.
In an inspiring display of resilience, the surfer shared an uplifting photo from the hospital, surrounded by family, with the caption: "Spot something missing? So good to have so many amazing people behind me. I really appreciate it."
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