A 56-year-old surfer has lost a foot after being attacked by a shark while in the water at Glenfield Beach in Western Australia. Mel Ismail was surfing alone on Monday morning when a shark bit his leg and also took a chunk out of his surfboard.
Ismail is in serious but stable condition and is receiving specialized care at Geraldton Health Campus' Intensive Care Unit/High Dependency Unit. A hospital spokesperson stated that he faces a "long recovery."
Shannon Dunn, another surfer, is credited with rescuing Ismail. Dunn noticed Ismail signaling for help from the shore, paddled out on his board, and pulled the injured man back to safety. On the shore, bystanders used a surfboard rope to fashion a tourniquet. Dunn then transported Ismail to a waiting ambulance.
A portion of Glenfield Beach was temporarily closed following the incident, and authorities are advising extra caution for swimmers in the area. The shark attack is under investigation.