The severed leg of a surfer who was attacked by a shark has washed up on an Australian beach, with doctors now racing to see if it can be reattached.

Kai McKenzie, 23, was surfing near Port Macquarie in New South Wales (NSW) on Tuesday, when a 3m (9.8ft) great white shark bit him.

He managed to catch a wave into shore, where an off-duty police officer used a makeshift tourniquet to stem his bleeding, according to authorities.

His leg washed up a short time later and was put on ice by locals before being taken to hospital, where a medical team is now assessing surgery options.

  • SoJB@lemmy.ml
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    3 months ago

    Possibly tourist “shark watch” charters chumming up the shallow water? This is the theory many locals have for the increased incidence of shark attacks in Hawaii.

    • Zaktor@sopuli.xyz
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      3 months ago

      None of the shark tours I’m aware of operate in shallow water. Anywhere that’s good for surfing is terrible for hanging around in a cage and the sharks are much more reliable in deep water.

      And if they were chumming in shallow waters they’d be pretty easily caught. If they’re close enough for chumming to influence the sharks around surfers they’re very visible from shore.