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Shark warning sign at an Australian beach
An Aussie surfer is in serious but stable condition after falling victim to a life-altering shark attack at Glenfield Beach in Geraldton, Western Australia. The victim, Mel Ismail, lost part of his leg during the attack before being rescued by Shannon Dunn, who despite saving the victim’s life doesn’t consider himself a hero.
Shannon Dunn spoke with local news about saving the shark attack victim’s life and what it was like in that moment paddling into danger.
Australian Surfer Describes Saving Shark Attack Victim’s Life At Glenfield Beach
iStockphoto / Alessandro De Maddalena
Shannon Dunn is a local surfer in the area and knew something was wrong when he spotted a fellow surfer out in the water waving his hand for anyone that could see it. On top of that, the surfer’s board was around 15 feet away from where he was.
Dunn told 7 News Australia he did not realize it at the time but already a large “orange patch” had emerged around the surfer in the water. Mel Ismail was already rapidly losing blood after having lost part of his leg to the shark.
It did not take long for Shannon Dunn to connect the dots that it was a shark attack after he’d seen the blood. His first instinct was to paddle over to the surfer in need and get him back to shore as quickly as possible.
Once back on land, Shannon Dunn fashioned a tourniquet using the leash on his surfboard in order to slow the rapid blood loss as the shark attack victim was growing more pale by the minute. Dunn says they were all working together to keep the victim awake.
Around this time, three local teens helped Shannon lift the shark attack victim into a vehicle and from there they were able to race to a waiting ambulance. Fortunately for the victim, the local hospital had just opened a new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Mel Ismail was able to receive the possible possible wound care at that moment.
Speaking with 9 News Australia (above) in a second interview, Shannon Dunn says he remembers thinking “what am I doing? what if that shark is still around?” while paddling out to rescue the shark attack victim. But at no point did that soften his resolve or deter him from paddling out to save the other man’s life.
Regardless of whether or not Shannon Dunn considers himself a hero, it is clear the local public does, and certainly the shark attack victim as well.