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Shark attack survivor says predator 'winked' at him as he fought it off
The Independent • • world
Key Points:
- Mel Ismail, a surfer and firefighter, survived a shark attack at Glenfield Beach, Australia, losing his right leg below the knee after the predator grabbed and dragged him underwater.
- During the attack, Ismail noticed the shark's eye appeared to "wink" at him, a behavior linked to sharks rolling their eyeballs back to protect them during attacks; the shark species remains unidentified.
- After the shark released him, Ismail managed to catch a wave toward shore and was rescued by surfer Shannan Dunn and bystanders who applied a tourniquet and helped him reach medical assistance.
- Four days following Ismail's attack, a fatal shark mauling occurred off Perth, marking one of five deadly shark incidents in Australia this year, including the deaths of spearfishing divers and a 12-year-old boy.
- Despite his injury, Ismail plans to return to the water as a bodyboarder, showing resilience after his near-death encounter.
