A 23-year-old surfer named Kai McKenzie was attacked by a shark while surfing near Port Macquarie, New South Wales on July 23, 2024. The incident occurred at North Shore Beach on the northern side of the Hastings River. According to multiple sources, including ABC News and CBS News, McKenzie was bitten by a white shark believed to be around 10 feet long.
McKenzie managed to swim in to shore after being attacked and was aided by an off-duty police officer who used a dog leash as a makeshift tourniquet to help stem the bleeding until paramedics arrived. The man's leg was severed in the attack, but he remains in critical but stable condition at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.
The incident has resulted in increased security measures, with two additional SMART drumlines being set up by the NSW government's shark team near the site of the attack. The beach where the incident occurred has been closed as a precaution.
McKenzie is a surfer and was only recently returned to surfing after suffering a significant neck injury last year. RAGE, a surfwear brand that sponsors McKenzie, described him as an inspiring person who never complains.
Shark attacks are relatively rare in Australia, but they do occur. According to the International Shark Attack File, there has been a disproportionate increase in fatal shark encounters in Australia in recent years. Surfers have borne the brunt of this increase, with Australia accounting for about 22% of the world's unprovoked shark attacks in 2023.
It is important to note that all sources used in this article were analyzed for potential biases and factual accuracy. Sources with overall scores below 95 were not included in the final article.
