Image source, Phil Gallagher
- author, Hannah Ritchie
- Role, BBC News, Sydney
The severed leg of a surfer attacked by a shark has washed up on an Australian beach, and doctors are racing against time to see if it can be reattached.
Kai McKenzie, 23, was surfing near Port Macquarie in New South Wales on Tuesday when he was bitten by a 3-metre (9.8-foot) great white shark.
He managed to reach a wave on the beach, where an off-duty police officer used a makeshift tourniquet to stop his bleeding, according to authorities.
Shortly after, the water washed away his leg, and locals applied ice to it before taking him to hospital, where a medical team is now evaluating surgery options.
Mr McKenzie – a professional amateur surfer – remains in a serious but stable condition, according to emergency services, which thanked the off-duty officer for his quick response to the incident.
“He used his dog’s leash as a tourniquet… and basically saved his life until paramedics arrived,” said Kieran Mowbray of NSW Ambulance.
Mackenzie described him as “calm” and “able to talk” after the attack. “He’s a really brave young man,” she added.
Mr McKenzie was rushed to a local hospital shortly after the accident, before being airlifted to John Hunter Hospital – a major trauma centre – in Newcastle, about 200 kilometres (124 miles) away. His amputated leg also cut the long journey short.
The avid surfer had recently returned to the water after suffering a serious neck injury that forced him to take time off from the sport, according to local media reports.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Mr McKenzie’s family with treatment and rehabilitation costs, attracting more than A$75,000 ($49,000; £38,000) by Wednesday.
Although Australia experiences more shark attacks than any other country except the United States, fatal attacks remain relatively rare.
