A 23-year-old surfer, Kai McKenzie, was attacked by a shark while surfing off the coast of New South Wales, Australia, according to local police.
“Struggling for survival, he managed to ride a wave back to shore,” a crowdfunding page created for McKenzie mentioned. “A retired police officer swiftly fashioned a tourniquet using his dog’s leash to control the bleeding until the victim could be airlifted to the hospital.”
In a remarkable twist, McKenzie’s severed leg was later found washed up on the beach, and medical professionals are hopeful they can reattach it.
After undergoing surgery, McKenzie is currently in critical but stable condition, as reported by ABC News Australia and the fundraising page.
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Kai McKenzie, 23, was attacked by a shark while surfing off New South Wales, Australia, as reported by local authorities. (NSW Police)
Luke Short, the maker of McKenzie’s surfboards, expressed to ABC that everyone was hoping “we’d misheard the news.”
“It’s incredible that he managed to survive,” he remarked.
The surf team RAGE referred to McKenzie as “the toughest person we know.”
“Sending love to @kai_mckenzie, our youngest RAGE team member and the toughest person we know,” the team shared on Instagram recently. “He was attacked by a shark and lost his leg while surfing in Port Macquarie. After breaking his back last year, he never complained and quickly returned to the sport he loves. He is truly inspiring. The entire RAGE crew is behind you, and we hope to see you soon.”
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“Struggling for survival, he managed to ride a wave back to shore,” a crowdfunding page for McKenzie stated. “An off-duty police officer quickly used his dog’s leash to create a tourniquet that saved his life before he could be airlifted.” (Reinhard Dirscherl/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
Kirran Mowbray of NSW Ambulance praised McKenzie as “courageous” during a broadcast on 7News Sydney. “He turned around and caught a wave back to the shore.”
She further elaborated that the off-duty officer “used his dog’s leash as a makeshift tourniquet to wrap around the young man’s leg, essentially saving his life.”
Kevin Young, vice president of Bite Club, an organization for shark attack survivors, commented during the broadcast, “I understand he lost a leg, and they’ve packed it in ice to attempt a reattachment. It’s astounding that this could be possible.”
Mid North Coast Police Chief Insp. Stuart Campbell stated that they are working to determine the type of shark that attacked McKenzie.
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Following the incident, Port Macquarie Hastings Lifeguards announced that the beach has since reopened.
