A young surfer who lost his leg while battling a shark at a remote beach has undergone surgery to reattach the limb after the shark washed up on the beach.
Kai McKenzie was catching waves at North Shore Beach, near Port Macquarie on the central north coast of New South Wales, when he was attacked by a suspected three-metre great white shark on Tuesday morning.
After rowing to shore, the 23-year-old was saved by an off-duty police officer who reacted quickly and used his dog’s leash to stop the bleeding.
The surfer’s severed leg washed up on shore, where a growing crowd of onlookers put it on ice and rushed her to hospital under police lights and sirens, New South Wales police said.
Mr McKenzie and the leg were airlifted to hospital where he has now undergone surgery to reattach the leg, Nine News reports.
Kai McKenzie, pictured, was surfing at North Shore Beach on the central north coast of New South Wales when he was attacked by a shark.
Mr McKenzie fought off the shark and caught a wave that carried him back to shore with severe leg injuries and a chunk of his surfboard bitten off.
An off-duty police officer used his dog’s leash as a makeshift tourniquet until paramedics arrived.
The 23-year-old lost his leg in the attack, which washed ashore where a growing crowd of spectators put it on ice.
After assessing photographs of the injuries, New South Wales government shark biologists believe a three-metre great white shark was involved in the attack and inflicted “serious injuries” to the surfer’s right leg.
He is believed to have fought off the shark and caught a wave that carried him back to shore, suffering severe blood loss and a chunk of his surfboard bitten off.
Port Macquarie Hastings ALS lifeguards said in a statement Wednesday that initial beach closures have ended. North Shore Beach is isolated and largely accessible only by a dirt road.
Mr McKenzie’s devastated loved ones have previously spoken out about how he may never walk normally again.
A GoFundMe page set up by McKenzie’s neighbour Lauren Mac said the young surfer was in John Hunter Hospital and noted it would be a “long road to recovery”.
“He saw the shark approaching and was able to fight it off, but his right leg was amputated,” the page reads.
Clinging to life, he managed to catch a wave and return to the beach.
‘Please make an effort to help this family with Kai’s recovery and rehabilitation.’
Ms Mac said the prospect of losing his leg was a shocking blow for the young surfer who had just returned to the water after fracturing his neck.
“His mom and dad told me it’s going to be a long road to recovery, regardless of the outcome,” he said.
More than $70,000 had been raised in McKenzie’s name since the page was created Wednesday morning.
McKenzie was attacked by a shark at North Shore Beach in Port Macquarie on Tuesday
McKenzie (pictured) is believed to have arrived at the isolated beach with a friend after taking a ferry.
Members of the surfing community have also wished him a speedy recovery, including his sponsor Rage.
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)
His aunt, Michelle McKenzie, said the youngster was “an incredible surfer, skater, musician, videographer and an all-round legend”.
“She has always lived life to the fullest, making the most of every minute of every day,” he wrote in a Facebook post Wednesday afternoon.
‘He was attacked by a shark yesterday in Port Macquarie, whilst doing what he loved… he suffered life-changing injuries.’
The experienced surfer, who had several sponsors, had recently returned to the water after suffering a serious injury.
“I’m so happy to be back surfing after breaking my neck,” he posted on Instagram in January.
Members of the surfing community also wished him a speedy recovery, including his sponsor Rage, who shared an emotional post on Instagram.
“Sending love to Kai, the youngest RAGE guy on the team and the toughest person we know,” it read.
‘He was attacked by a shark yesterday and lost his leg while surfing in Port Macquarie.
“He’s been through a lot, last year he broke his back (neck vertebrae). He never complained, he always dedicated himself to doing what he loves as soon as possible. He’s an inspiring person.
‘The whole Rage gang loves you, man, and we’ll see you soon.’