Kai McKenzie: Surfer breaks silence after fighting off a shark and losing his leg at North Shore Beach
A young surfer who was mauled in a shark attack and lived to tell the tale has spoken out for the first time. Showing his good spirits, he has delivered a pointed message to ‘that shark’ that took his leg.
Kai McKenzie, who was attacked at North Shore Beach in Port Macquarie at about 11am on Tuesday, managed to fight off the shark and catch a wave back to the shore where bystanders sprang into action to save his life.
A retired police officer used his dog’s lead as a makeshift tourniquet to stem the bleeding before Mr McKenzie was airlifted to hospital.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Authorities believe a three-metre great white shark was behind the attack and have said the actions of the former police officer in the moments after Mr McKenzie managed to get himself to shore “essentially saved his life”.
Taking to Instagram, Mr McKenzie wrote: “Man ohh f****g man to be here right now just to f*****g 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 ( biggest shark I’ve ever seen ) which was a very crazy scene and scared the living f**k out of me’” he wrote.
Mr McKenzie accompanied the post with an image of him embracing his partner Eve.
A GoFundMe was quickly created for Mc McKenzie after the attack, which has raised over $150,000. .
“But to all you f*****g kind-hearted people, all you legends, to anyone and everyone all your support has meant the absolute world to me,” Mr McKenzie wrote.
“It’s so cool to see so many beautiful people support me.
“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 GoFundMe page. We are so very grateful for everything”
As for if Mr McKenzie plans to get back in the water any time soon, he made his intentions clear.
“I can tell you now if you know my personality this means f**k all,” he said.
“I’ll be back in that water In no time ! BIG F**K OFF TO THAT SHARK and BIG THANKS to Steve for saving my life.”
After Mr McKenzie was taken to hospital following the attack, his leg washed ashore and was retrieved by a police officer who put it on ice. It was later taken to John Hunter Hospital where Mr McKenzie was clinging to life.
It is unclear whether the marathon surgery he underwent on Wednesday night was to reattach his leg. The Daily Telegraph has reported vascular surgeons and specialists were in talks with the family on surgery options.
When asked if doctors were planning to reattach Mr McKenzie’s leg, Lauren Mac, a neighbour of the Bonny Hill family, told the Telegraph: “I can confirm that he has had surgery and that he is stable (Thursday morning) but this is all the family wants released at this time,” she said.
