Kai McKenzie, 23, was attacked by a three-metre-long great white shark in Australia on Tuesday.

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.

  • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldMEnglish
    52·
    4 months ago

    I once heard a shark expert say that most of the time when sharks bite humans, it’s not because they want to eat them, it’s because that’s kind of how they sense the world. Sort of “hmm… wonder what this tastes like? *CHOMP* Nope. Not shark food.” I’m guessing that even applies when the leg is bitten completely off.

    • mecfs@lemmy.worldEnglish
      31·
      4 months ago

      Yep. Most attacks by great whites are shark “children” just learning about food trying different stuff.

    • tomten@lemmy.worldEnglish
      30·
      4 months ago

      Yeah sharks don’t like the taste of people but they generally have poor eyesight so they mistake surfers etc splashing on the surface for food or as you say just curious.