A young surfer who lost his leg while battling a 10-foot shark has joked about losing his limb less than a week after the devastating attack.
Kai McKenzie was rushed to hospital along with his amputated leg when he was attacked on the isolated North Shore beach near Port Macquarie on the central north coast of New South Wales on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old fought off the shark and managed to paddle to shore, where he was helped by an off-duty police officer, who used his dog’s leash to stop the bleeding.
Mr McKenzie was seriously injured in the attack but shared an update on social media on Monday showing him flanked by supporters as he lay near his hospital bed.
“Do you see something missing?” she joked about her missing leg in the Instagram post.
“It’s so nice to have so many amazing people behind me, I really appreciate it.”
Mr McKenzie’s leg washed up on shore and he was taken to John Hunter Hospital but could not be re-attached.
A GoFundMe page organized by McKenzie’s neighbor, Lauren Mac, had raised more than $165,000 for the surfer’s treatment and recovery as of Monday morning.
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The shocking chewed remains of Kai McKenzie’s surfboard after the shark attack last week
In an update on Saturday, the Bonny Hills resident said it was “everything” to have survived the attack and been able to hug his loved ones.
Mr McKenzie promised he would be back in the water “in no time” and thanked those who had contributed to the Gofundme page set up in his honour.
“Man oh fuck man being here right now just so I can hug my beautiful Eve and my family means the world to me,” he posted Saturday alongside a photo of himself hugging his girlfriend.
‘A few days ago I suffered a crazy shark attack (the biggest shark I’ve ever seen) which was a very crazy scene and scared the shit out of me, but to all of you good hearted people, to all the legends, to each and every one of you, all of your support has meant the absolute world to me.
“I can assure you now, if you know my personality, this means nothing. I’ll be back in that water in a heartbeat!”
‘FUCK THAT SHARK! And a BIG THANK YOU to Steve for saving my life.’
Mr McKenzie was attacked by the predator at North Shore Beach, north of Port Macquarie on the central north coast of New South Wales, on Tuesday morning.
He fought off the shark and caught a wave that carried him back to shore, suffering severe blood loss and with a chunk of his surfboard bitten off.
“Man oh fuck man being here right now just so I can hug my beautiful Eve and my family means the world to me,” he posted Saturday alongside a photo of himself hugging his girlfriend.
An off-duty police officer used his dog’s leash as a makeshift tourniquet until paramedics arrived and took Mr McKenzie to Port Macquarie Base Hospital.
The off-duty officer was among several beachgoers who rushed to McKenzie’s aid after he emerged from the water.
After her leg washed up on the beach, it was placed on ice and she was rushed to hospital under police lights and sirens, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Mr McKenzie’s devastated loved ones made the grim admission that Mr McKenzie faces a “long road to recovery” regardless of whether the limb can be reattached or not.
Neighbor Lauren Mac installed a GoFundMe following the attack.
“It’s great to see so many beautiful people supporting me,” McKenzie said in her post.
The predator attacked Mr McKenzie at North Shore Beach, north of Port Macquarie on the central north coast of New South Wales, on Tuesday morning.
“There are so many messages to answer, but I wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone for their generous donations on the Go Fund Me page. We are so grateful for everything.”
NSW Ambulance Officer Kirran Mowbray told reporters that Mr McKenzie’s efforts to fight off the shark and return to shore were an incredible act of bravery.
“He saw the shark and managed to fight it off. He turned around and rode a wave to shore. He’s very brave,” he said.
It was previously revealed that Mr McKenzie had recently returned to the water after fracturing his neck.
“I’m so happy to be back surfing after breaking my neck,” McKenzie posted on Instagram in January.
He has been described as a “legendary guy” and an accomplished surfer, sponsored by well-known brands.