An off-duty police officer has been hailed a hero after using a dog leash to save the life of a young surfer after he was attacked by a massive three-metre great white shark at a remote beach.
Kai McKenzie, 23, suffered serious leg injuries after being attacked in North Shore Beach in Port Macquarie in the New south Wales Mid-north coast on Tuesday morning.
Among the beachgoers who rushed to McKenzie’s aid after he emerged from the water was an off-duty officer.
He used his dog’s leash as a tourniquet to stop the bleeding from the injured areas.
Police and paramedics arrived at the scene a short time later before McKenzie was rushed to Port Macquarie Base Hospital in a critical but stable condition.
It has since been revealed that 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.
Kai McKenzie, 23 (pictured), suffered serious leg injuries after being attacked by the shark at North Shore Beach in Port Macquarie at around 11am on Tuesday.
The Australian Lifesaving Service (ALS) from Port Macquarie were among those who assisted Mr McKenzie at the scene.
‘Town Beach lifeguards responded to a serious shark attack around 11am this morning at North Shore Beach where some members of the public and a fellow surfer were rendering assistance using makeshift tourniquets,’ they wrote on Facebook.
‘The beaches between North Shore and Lighthouse Beach (Tacking Point) are closed and will remain closed for at least 24 hours.’
Mr McKenzie, who lives in Bonny Hills, south of Port Macquarie, is believed to have arrived at the beach after taking a ferry with a friend, Daily Telegraph reported.
Port Macquarie Hastings City Council ferry operator Lee Horne told the newspaper that young people were regular users of the ferry service.
Mr Horne praised the off-duty police officer’s efforts in saving Mr McKenzie’s life.
McKenzie (pictured) is believed to have arrived at the isolated beach with a friend after taking a ferry.
The off-duty policeman used his dog’s leash as a tourniquet to stop bleeding from the injured areas after the young surfer was attacked by the shark (file image)
North Shore Beach is a secluded area and is a popular spot for surfers and campers.
Visitors usually access this secluded beach by taking a ferry.
Shark tracking website Bitemetrix reported a 3.09-metre great white shark was on a drum line at Lighthouse Beach, which is also near Port Macquarie.
The website has reported several sightings of great white sharks over the years at several beaches near the area.