A young surfer whose leg was severed as he fought off a three-metre shark has joked about the loss of his limb less than a week after the devastating attack.
Kai McKenzie was rushed to hospital along with his severed leg when he was attacked at the isolated North Shore Beach, near Port Macquarie on the NSW mid-north coast, on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old fought off the shark and managed to paddle ashore where he was helped by an off-duty police officer, who used his dog’s leash to stem the bleeding.
Mr McKenzie was critically injured in the attack, but on Monday he shared a social media update showing himself flanked by supporters as he stood near his hospital bed.
‘Spot something missing?’ he joked of his missing leg in the Instagram post.
‘So good to have so many amazing people behind me, I really appreciate it.’
Mr McKenzie’s leg washed up on the shore and was taken to John Hunter Hospital but could not be reattached.
A GoFundMe page organised by Mr McKenzie’s neighbour, Lauren Mac, had raised more than $165,000 for the surfer’s treatment and recovery by Monday morning.
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The shocking chewed-up 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’ just to have survived the attack and be able to hold his loved-ones.
Mr McKenzie promised he would be back in the water ‘in no time’ as he thanked those who had contributed to the Gofundme page established in his honour
‘Man ohh f***ing man to be here right now just to f***ing be able to hold my beautiful Eve and my family is everything to me,’ he posted on Saturday alongside a picture of him embracing his girlfriend.
‘A few days ago I went through a crazy shark attack (biggest shark I’ve ever seen) which was a very crazy scene and scared the living f*** out of me, but to all you f***ing kind hearted people, all you legends, to anyone and everyone all your support has meant the absolute world to me.
‘I can tell you now if you know my personality this means f*** all. I’ll be back in that water In no time!
‘BIG F*** OFF TO THAT SHARK and BIG THANKS to Steve for saving my life.’
Mr McKenzie was set upon by the predator at North Shore Beach north of Port Macquarie, on the NSW mid-north coast, on Tuesday morning.
He fought off the shark and caught a wave back to shore suffering severe blood loss with a chunk bitten out of his surfboard.
‘Man ohh f***ing man to be here right now just to f***ing be able to hold my beautiful Eve and my family is everything to me,’ he posted on Saturday alongside a picture of him embracing his girlfriend
An off-duty police officer used their dog’s leash as a makeshift tourniquet until paramedics arrived and took Mr McKenzie to Port Macquarie Base Hospital.
The off-duty constable was among several beachgoers who rushed to Mr McKenzie’s aid after he got out of the water.
After his leg washed up on the beach it was placed on ice and rushed to hospital under police lights and sirens, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Mr McKenzie’s devastated loved ones made the bleak admission Mr McKenzie faces a ‘long road to recovery’ regardless of whether or not the limb can be reattached.
Neighbour Lauren Mac set up a GoFundMe in the wake of the attack.
‘It’s so cool to see so many beautiful people support me,’ Mr McKenzie said in his post.
Mr McKenzie was set upon by the predator at North Shore Beach north of Port Macquarie, on the NSW mid-north coast, on Tuesday morning
‘There are so many messages to get back to but I wanted to say a massive thanks to everyone for your generous donations on the go fund me page. We are so very grateful for everything,’
NSW Ambulance office Kirran Mowbray told the media Mr McKenzie’s efforts to fight off the shark and struggle back to shore was an amazing act of courage.
‘He’s seen the shark, he’s been able to fight it off. He’s turned around and caught a wave into shore. He’s very courageous,’ she said.
It was earlier revealed that Mr McKenzie had only recently returned to the water after he fractured his neck.
‘So happy to be back surfing after having a fractured neck,’ Mr McKenzie posted on Instagram in January.
He’s been described a ‘legendary fella’ and accomplished surfer, sponsored by well-known brands.
