Young Port Macquarie surfer Kai McKenzie, 23, speaks out after leg severed in shark attack

Surfer Kai McKenzie has poked fun at the horrific extent of his injuries after being attacked by a 3m shark in NSW last week, posting to social media: “spot something missing?”.

A young surfer who was mauled by a three-metre shark has revealed his leg was unable to be saved after it was severed in the horrific attack last week.

Bonny Hills surfer Kai McKenzie, 23, has spoken out for the first time after he was attacked off isolated North Shore Beach in Port Macquarie last Tuesday, before being saved by an off-duty cop.

Port Macquarie shark attack victim Kai McKenzie in hospital. Picture: Instagram

Mr McKenzie issued a statement to Instagram on Saturday, thanking his family and friends for their support following the “crazy” incident which “scared the living f--k out of 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 said.

The surfer said it was “everything to me” to be with his family and to “hold my beautiful Eve”, who he was pictured embracing in the social media post after undergoing marathon surgery.

Kai McKenzie speaks out for the first time following a horror shark attack. Picture: Instagram

“To all you kind hearted people, all you legends, to anyone and everyone all your support has meant the absolute world to me,” he wrote.

“It’s so cool to see so many beautiful people support me … we are so very grateful for everything.”

In an update on Monday, Mr McKenzie posted a photo on Instagram showing his leg was unable to be reattached by surgeons, but in jest wrote “spot something missing? Hahah”.

A GoFundMe appeal set up by his neighbour to aid in recovery has already raised more than $150,000, exceeding its initial $100,000 target.

Mr McKenzie said he’d be “back in the water in no time”, despite the horror attack.

Surfer Kai McKenzie was rushed to hospital after he was attacked by a shark while in the water off North Shore Beach near Port Macquarie in NSW. Picture: Instagram

“I can tell you now if you know my personality this means f--k all,” he said.

“Big f--k off to that shark and big thanks to Steve for saving my life.”

In heroic circumstances on Tuesday, Mr McKenzie fought off the shark and paddled to shore.

An off-duty cop walking his dog on the beach saved the surfer’s life by using the pet’s lead to stem blood loss before Mr McKenzie was rushed to Port Macquarie Base Hospital.

McKenzie managed to paddle to shore after being attacked. Picture: Instagram

He was then transported to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, where he underwent surgery on Wednesday and remained in a stable condition on Thursday.

The leg washed up on the beach and was placed on ice. It’s understood the leg was taken back on the vehicular ferry across the Hastings River and rushed to Port Macquarie Base Hospital under police lights and sirens.

Mr McKenzie’s leg was unable to be reattached, despite the best efforts of emergency services.

McKenzie was attacked at North Shore Beach near Port Macquarie. Picture: Instagram

Mr McKenzie’s neighbour Lauren Mac launched the GoFundMe and told this publication on Wednesday loved ones were “devastated”.

“It’s another blow after Kai only recently returned to the water after fracturing his neck,” she said.

The shark took a chunk out of McKenzie’s surfboard.

“His parents are shocked and devastated. I spoke with them yesterday after they saw Kai in the hospital. They are such a tight-knit family.”

NSW Ambulance duty manager Kirran Mowbray said after the attack Mr McKenzie’s efforts to fight off the predator and make it to shore alive were “courageous”.

“He’s seen the shark, he’s been able to fight it off. He’s turned around and caught a wave into shore. He’s very courageous.”

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