A surfer from Australia has pledged to return to the waves following a harrowing incident in which a shark amputated his leg while he was surfing off the coast of New South Wales last week.
Kai McKenzie, aged 23, was riding the surf near Port Macquarie on Tuesday when he encountered what he described as the “largest shark I’ve ever seen,” which suddenly attacked him.
“Just a few days ago, I experienced an incredible shark attack (the biggest shark I’ve ever laid eyes on), and it was an incredibly frightening ordeal that terrified me,” McKenzie shared in an Instagram update.
According to the BBC, officials confirmed the shark was a nearly 10-foot-long great white.
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Kai McKenzie, 23, was surfing off New South Wales in Australia when he was assaulted by a shark, as reported by New South Wales police. (NSW Police)
McKenzie noticed the shark approaching him in the water and fought back, but he wasn’t able to evade the shark before it severed his right leg, as detailed on a GoFundMe page he shared via Instagram to support his medical costs.
“Struggling for his life, [McKenzie] managed to ride a wave back to the beach,” the fundraising page stated.
Officials stated that a nearly 10-foot-long great white shark was responsible for attacking Kai McKenzie, reports indicate. (iStock)
Once ashore, a retired police officer fashioned a makeshift tourniquet using his dog’s leash to staunch the blood flow from McKenzie’s leg. He was later airlifted to John Hunter Hospital where he underwent surgery and is currently in stable condition.
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Shortly after the incident, McKenzie’s severed leg was discovered on the beach, and local residents placed it on ice in hopes the surgeons could reattach it, according to the BBC. By Monday, it remained unclear if such surgery was attempted.
It remains uncertain if doctors attempted to reattach Kai McKenzie’s leg after it washed up on the beach shortly following the attack. (Reinhard Dirscherl/ullstein bild via Getty Images, File)
Almost a week post-attack, McKenzie provided an update on Instagram.
“Notice anything missing?” he captioned a photo of himself in the hospital surrounded by family and friends.
McKenzie expressed gratitude to everyone who supported him during this traumatic experience and maintained his commitment to returning to surfing soon.
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“I’ll be back in the water before you know it! A HUGE F— YOU TO THAT SHARK and a BIG THANK YOU to Steve for saving my life,” the 23-year-old concluded.
