In a dramatic turn of events off the coast of New South Wales, Australia, a 23-year-old surfer's severed leg has been recovered following a shark attack, with medical teams now in a race against time to attempt reattachment.
Kai McKenzie, a sponsored surfer, was attacked by a 3-meter (9.8-foot) great white shark near Port Macquarie yesterday (Tuesday). Despite the severity of his injury, McKenzie managed to ride a wave back to shore, where his life was likely saved by the quick thinking of an off-duty police officer.
The attack occurred while McKenzie was surfing near Port Macquarie, a popular coastal town in New South Wales. An off-duty police officer used his dog's leash as a makeshift tourniquet, an action that emergency services credit with saving McKenzie's life.
In an extraordinary development, McKenzie's severed leg washed up on the beach shortly after the attack and was promptly put on ice by local residents. The surfer was initially taken to a local hospital before being airlifted to the John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, a major trauma center about 200km (124 miles) away.
NSW Ambulance's Kirran Mowbray praised McKenzie's composure following the attack, describing him as "calm" and "able to talk." She added, "He's just a really brave and courageous young man." McKenzie is reported to be in a serious but stable condition, with medical teams assessing options for reattachment surgery.
This incident comes as a particularly harsh blow to McKenzie, who had only recently returned to surfing after recovering from a significant neck injury.
The surfing community has rallied around McKenzie, with a GoFundMe page set up to assist with medical and rehabilitation costs already raising over $49,000 as of Wednesday.
While Australia is known for having a high number of shark attacks, second only to the United States, fatal incidents remain relatively rare.
As medical teams work tirelessly to save McKenzie's leg, the surfing community and local residents continue to offer their support, hoping for a positive outcome in this extraordinary tale of survival.
* The BBC contributed to this article.
