Shark attack victim Bridgette O’Shannessy shares update on recovery two months later

She was diving at a popular Aussie swim spot when a shark appeared, mauling her face and leaving her with severe injuries.

A woman who was mauled by a shark while free-diving in waters off the coast of South Australia has shared an update on her recovery two months later.

Bridgette O’Shannessy, 32, was diving with her partner Brian Gordon Roberts at Port Noarlunga when a Great White shark charged towards her and attacked her face.

Mr Roberts managed to shove the shark away but she had already suffered severe facial injuries, ripping out teeth and leaving her with significant nerve damage.

It is believed Mr Roberts’ courageous actions likely saved her life.

Two months after the terrifying incident, the couple have shared a family photo, featuring their pet dogs in front of their Christmas tree over the holiday season.

Bridgette O’Shannessy, 32, is just two months out from a horror shark attack at Port Noarlunga. Picture: Instagram

“Merry Xmas everyone, love from Bridgette, Huey, Bruno and I,” he wrote to Instagram.

The photograph shows Ms O’Shannessy’s incredible recovery, her face stretched into a smile alongside her grinning partner and their dogs dressed in festive outfits.

Bridgette was an experienced free diver. Picture: Facebook

She suffered severe facial injuries during the attack. Picture: Supplied

In a post shared to social media following the attack, Mr Roberts informed loved ones that she had undergone surgery but was “doing really well considering”.

“She’s out of theatre now, in ICU and in a stable condition. She’s doing really well considering the circumstances,” he said in an Instagram post.

Port Noarlunga, south of Adelaide, where the attack occurred. Picture: Google Maps

“Thanks for all the well wishes, I’ve been passing them on to her.’’

Photographs from the scene showed swimmers crowding on the sand after fleeing the waters as emergency services held up tarpaulins and barriers around the woman to block her from view as they carried her from the water to an ambulance.

An extensive search of the water was conducted to hunt down the shark, but it was not located.

The attack was the fourth shark attack in South Australia in 2023, a toll which has since climbed to five after a 15-year-old surfer was killed in a shark attack at Ethel Beach, off the tip of Cape York a week ago.