An incident of a surfer's leg being severed by a shark attack has shocked the community in Port Macquarie, Australia. The victim, identified as a 23-year-old surfer, was attacked by a shark while in the water off North Shore Beach. The surfer bravely fought off the shark, but unfortunately, his right leg was severed in the process.
Despite the severe injury, the surfer managed to ride a wave back to the beach, where a retired police officer on a dog walk came to his rescue. The quick-thinking officer used a dog lead as a tourniquet to stop the bleeding and potentially saved the surfer's life until paramedics arrived.
Emergency services responded to the scene of the reported shark attack, and the victim was rushed to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle for surgery. The surfer is currently in stable condition, with efforts being made to potentially reattach the severed leg.
The surfer, who had recently recovered from a back injury, was described as resilient and inspiring by his sponsors. The local community has rallied around him, sending messages of support and encouragement.
Following the shark attack, a section of beaches in Port Macquarie was closed for 24 hours as a safety precaution. Lifeguards and authorities are working to track and identify the shark responsible for the attack, utilizing drones and SMART drumlines to monitor the area.
Shark monitoring devices along the coastline had detected the presence of two white sharks in the vicinity prior to the attack, highlighting the importance of ongoing efforts to ensure beach safety.
