Australian surfer Kai McKenzie lost his right leg in a shark attack while surfing at North Shore Beach in Port Macquarie, New South Wales. Despite the attack, McKenzie remains in stable condition and is determined to get back out on the water. A GoFundMe campaign started by his neighbor has raised over $173,000 out of a $250,000 target to support his recovery.
McKenzie fought off a nearly 10-foot-long great white shark that approached him while surfing, and was aided by a retired police officer who used his dog’s leash as a tourniquet to help stop the bleeding. Shark attacks are rare, and shark species have been known to bite out of curiosity rather than as a predatory act. In 2023, there were 15 shark attacks in Australia, four of which were fatal.
Despite the rarity of shark attacks, people are more likely to die from causes such as rip currents or lightning strikes than from shark bites. According to the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File, there were 69 unprovoked bites and 22 provoked bites worldwide in 2023. McKenzie expressed gratitude for the support he has received and remains determined to return to the water.
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