A HORRIFYING shark attack has been described by the victim’s family as a “nightmare” after her two hands and a chunk of her thigh were bitten off.
The victim’s family revealed how her husband heroically jumped in the water to fight off the shark until she managed to escape.
The couple were in the middle of a relaxing holiday to the Turks and Caicos Islands when the harrowing experience occurred earlier this month.
Shocking images showed the aftermath of the dreadful ordeal with a crowd holding clothes against the mauled woman’s wounds.
The 55-year-old Canadian woman joined her husband “in only hip deep clear water” when the deadly predator suddenly launched its attack.
The seven-foot beast, which is believed to be a bull shark, bumped into the swimmer’s leg before it started its violent frenzy and bit her thigh, according to the brother-in-law.
He said: “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.”
The victim’s brave husband then jumped between the two and heroically fought off the hungry animal until his wife “walked out of the water and collapsed on the beach”.
She was given first aid before paramedics took her to a hospital, where it was revealed she had suffered life-changing injuries.
The harrowing incident saw the woman lose both of her hands, one reportedly amputated at the wrist and the other up to her forearm.
Her mauled leg however was luckily saved.
The victim’s brother-in-law also revealed that she was flown back to Canada from the British overseas territory by air ambulance for more surgery and recovery.
He added that his brother and sister-in-law’s lives have been “completely altered in the blink of an eye,” and pleaded with people to contribute to the fundraiser.
A seven-foot bull shark attacked the woman[/caption]
BULL SHARK FACTS
Bull sharks are found in both saltwater and freshwater. They can live in rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.
Adult bull sharks can grow up to 7 to 11 feet long
Known for their aggressive behaviour, they are considered one of the most dangerous shark species.
They are carnivores, feeding on fish, dolphins, turtles, and even other sharks.
Bull sharks can be found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide.
They can tolerate freshwater by regulating their salt levels in their kidneys.
The sea animals can swim at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour.
Bull sharks give birth to live young, with litters typically ranging from 1 to 13 pups.
They have triangular, serrated teeth perfect for grabbing and cutting through prey.
Bull sharks are responsible for more attacks on humans than many other species, due to their aggressive nature and tendency to inhabit shallow waters near shorelines.
It had been reported earlier last week that the victim had “engaged” with the shark in an attempt to take photos with it, but this has since been denied by witnesses who claimed that the attack was unprovoked.
Police and local environmental officials confirmed the attack happened at around 10:30 on Friday February 7, in the waters off Thompson’s Cove Beach in central Providenciales.
They said: “Medical personnel and the police were dispatched to the given location in Blue Hills, Providenciales.
“The 55-year-old victim was brought ashore and rushed to the Cheshire Hall Medical Center for Treatment.”
Shark bites in the surrounding waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands are relatively rare.
Last year only one unprovoked attack was reported and was non-fatal, according to Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File (ISAF).
But the waters around the islands are still home to various types of sharks including grey reef sharks, nurse sharks, tiger sharks and bull sharks.
The victim’s family launched a GoFundMe page where you can donate to support the couple.
It comes after another attack earlier this month, when 17-year-old Charlize Zmuda was mauled to death by a shark near Bribie Island, Australia.
A heartfelt vigil was held the day after by her father and was attended by hundreds of mourners.
In January this year, a retired dentist fought off a savage tiger shark by jabbing its eyes after he witnessed the beast maul another man to death in front of him moments before.
Peppino Fappani, 69, was swimming at a resort in Egypt alongside EU diplomat Gianluca Di Gioia when the horror unfolded.
Fappani attempted to save the other man’s life before he tragically died from his bite wounds.
