Shark attack victim Craig Ison has microsurgery on hand to repair tendons cut during incident

CRAIG Ison fought for his life against the great white shark which mauled him last week. The surfer punched it four times, almost losing his hand and having the shark’s tooth embedded in his thigh.

THE great white shark that mauled a NSW surfer embedded a tooth in the ex-boxer’s thigh during the horrific attack.

Craig Ison, 51, punched the predator four times as it pulled him from his board when he was paddling out for his daily surf at Main Beach, Evans Head, on Friday morning.

He was rushed to Lismore Base Hospital before being airlifted on Saturday morning to Gold Coast University Hospital, where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

Close friend Tom Augustine said the former slugger had undergone 10 hours of surgery since Friday but was confident his mate’s fighting spirit would help him pull through.

Shark attack victim Craig Ison photographed waiting for a wave. Picture: Ricky Forsyth

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Mr Ison with partner Jennifer Brown. Source: Supplied

“There was not much hand left; when he punched the shark, I reckon the shark has bitten him as well. Those teeth are like razors,” Mr Augustine told The Daily Telegraph.

Mr Augustine, through tears of joy, said his friend would keep his hand and leg after successful microsurgery.

“It was a bit touch and go there for a bit — we didn’t know if he’d make it or if he’d keep his arm and hand,” Mr Augustine said.

“The shark crushed his thigh, broke the bone and left a tooth behind.”

Mr Augustine said the main concern for Mr Ison was infection but felt he was “out of the woods”.

Evan Head shark attack victim Craig Ison (second from the right) as an amateur boxer in 1991.

The giant bite mark left in Mr Ison’s surfboard on Friday. Picture: George Daley

“When Craig was drifting in and out of consciousness, he said he got two left punches in but his mate that was with him when the shark attacked tells me it was at least three or four,” he said.

“He’s a fighter, he’s so fit – he trained six days a week before this – he can get through it.”

Janelle Worth, Mr Ison’s sister, thanked those who had given the family support following the attack.

“In particular, we are eternally grateful to Geoff Hill, Rick Forsyth and Dawso for delivering vital first aid to Craig on the beach and ultimately saving his life,” Ms Worth said in a statement.

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“We are also indebted to others who came to his assistance and the many people who have cared for him since the attack.”

Beaches in northern NSW were reopened this morning following several shark sighting at the weekend.

The beaches in the Ballina Shire — from Lennox Head to Lighthouse Beach — were closed until 10am after sharks were spotted in the waters on yesterday morning.

Beaches at Evans Head also reopened this morning following NSW Police and Ballina Local Council aerial patrols.

Mr Ison is in the same hospital as Matthew Lee, the body-boarder who was attacked by a great white shark at Ballina early last month.

Beachgoers walk at Main Beach at Lennox Head. Beaches in the area have since reopened. Picture: Jason O'Brien