A sixty-one-year old surfer has lost a leg after he was attacked by a shark in Hawaii.
The incident happened on Friday morning while the man was on his board in waters just off Waiehu Beach Park.
Police officers rushed to the scene and desperately tried to control the bleeding using tourniquets.
Maui county officials said the surfer’s leg had been “completely severed just below the knee”.
The injured man remained conscious throughout and was taken to Maui Memorial medical centre in a critical condition.
He told police he had been unaware of the shark’s presence, local authorities said.
Eye-witnesses reported hearing a sickening scream as the brutal attack unfolded.
David Basques told Hawaii News Now: “I heard this yell and I looked, and all of a sudden I just [saw] him splash, and I don’t know what was happening.
“He swam himself back maybe more than half the way and then I [saw] somebody jump in and they went [to] bring him inside.”
Maui Fire Department Assistant Chief Jeff Giesea was quoted as saying: “I would like to commend the patient for his strength and wherewithal, getting himself to shore. I mean, that’s extraordinary.
“Whatever Good Samaritans offered assistance, I’d like to commend them as well.”
The beach was closed in the immediate aftermath of the attack, with the public warned to stay out of the water for a mile in each direction of the incident.
A GoFundMe page has been set up and has identified the man as Kenji. It has currently raised just over £49,000.
In an update on Sunday afternoon, Charissa Leising, the organiser of the page, posted: “Thank you so much for the outpouring support for Kenji!
“He is out of the ICU and in the PCU, fully alert and full of joy for all the love and well wishes from the Maui ‘ohana and beyond.
“Kenji and Tomoko are so grateful for all the support, and he’s been talking story all afternoon about his love for the ocean and Waiehu surf.”
