A man whose leg washed up in the sea after a shark attack has vowed to return to the waters after his recovery.
Kai McKenzie, 23, was rushed to hospital after a horror attack which left his right leg severed. The ocean predator had attacked at North Shore Beach, Port Macquarie, Australia, on Tuesday, July 23. Surfer Kai insists he will return to the waters despite his near-death experience.
An off-duty officer walking his dog at the scene used a leash to stem the bleeding from his severed limb after Kai managed to paddle to shore. The surfer's severed leg later washed to shore and was put on ice, with NSW Police rushing it to hospital where Kai's leg was reattached. The 23-year-old says his aim is now to head back into the waters.
A GoFundMe organised for Kai revealed he was "clinging to life" following the attack and is now in the process of rehabilitation after a successful surgery to reattach the leg. The page, set up by neighbour Lauren Mac, read: "He saw the shark approach and was able to fight it off but suffered a severed right leg.
"Clinging to life, he was able to catch a wave back to the beach. Please dig deep for this family to assist with Kai's recovery and rehabilitation." The family later issued a heart-breaking update and say Kai may never walk the same again. But the 23-year-old has since released a statement of his own, revealing he is focused on recovering from his horror attack, 9news reported.
He wrote: "Man oh, man to be here right now, just to be able to hold my beautiful Eve and my family is everything to me. A few days ago I went through a crazy shark attack, which was a very crazy scene and scared the living f— out of me. To all you kind-hearted people, all you legends, to anyone and everyone all your support has meant the absolute world to me.
"It's so cool to see so many beautiful people support me. We are so very grateful for everything. 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."