The family of a woman who endured a harrowing shark attack while holidaying in the Turks and Caicos Islands has shared the horrific extent of her injuries. The dream Caribbean trip turned into “a nightmare” when a seven-foot bull shark mutilated her limbs while she stood “hip deep” in crystalline waters.
The 55-year-old was first attacked when the shark clamped down on her thigh before momentarily retreating, only to return with more ferocity. In a GoFundMe appeal, the family added: “Not satisfied, the shark came back again and when she put both hands in front of her to protect herself, the shark cut off both of her hands, one at mid forearm and the other at the wrist.”
In an act of bravery, the Mirror reports her husband dived into the fray, fighting off the shark, shielding his wife until she could escape to the shore where she collapsed. Initially treated on the beach, she was urgently taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
She has since been repatriated to Canada for further surgeries and ongoing recovery efforts.
“Following first aid on the beach, she was transported to a local hospital for treatment, but had to be flown back to Canada by air ambulance for further surgery and recovery,” her family stated on the campaign page, adding: “These events have completely changed their lives in the blink of an eye.”
Distressing images taken at the time of the attack show people gathered around the woman after she returned to the beach. Cloths were wrapped tightly around her arms in an attempt to stem further blood loss.
The victim has sustained life-altering injuries, with one arm reportedly amputated and the other also removed up to her forearm. Her injured leg is said to have been saved.
Initially, it was reported the woman lost her hands while trying to photograph the shark, but this has been refuted by eyewitnesses. Police stated the attack occurred off Thompson’s Cove Beach at about 10.30am on February 7.
In the aftermath of the horrific attack, more than $22,680 CAD (£12,667) has been raised. To view the GoFundMe campaign, click here.
Shark attacks are rare in Turks and Caicos, with the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File reporting only one unprovoked attack last year. The victim, a 22-year-old American, was celebrating her graduation from the prestigious Yale University when the attack occurred.