Shark Attack Survivor Punched Predator in the Eye: 'It Was Winking Back at Me'

Australian surfer and professional firefighter Mel Ismail bravely fought off a shark that severed his leg by punching it in the eye, he revealed in his first public interview about the September 14 attack [1, 2]. Ismail recounted the harrowing experience at Glenfield Beach near Geraldton, Australia, where he lost his right leg below the knee.

Ismail initially thought he was hit by a dolphin before realizing it was a shark that dragged him underwater. He described seeing the shark's eye, which he said appeared to be "winking back" at him as he tried to poke it [1, 2]. While many sharks do not have eyelids, they roll their eyeballs back for protection during an attack ^[1]. The species of shark involved has not yet been identified [1, 2].

Alone and bleeding, Ismail managed to catch a wave that brought him 66 feet closer to shore. Exhausted and losing strength, he spotted fellow surfer Shannan Dunn, who came to his aid [1, 2]. Dunn helped Ismail onto his board, and Ismail recalled Dunn's shocked expression, asking, "Where's the shark?" ^[1].

Once on the beach, onlookers sprang into action, with one creating a tourniquet from a leg rope and another calling for an ambulance. Teenagers helped Ismail into Dunn’s SUV, and they drove along the beach to meet paramedics ^[1]. Ismail credits the The story was first reported by New York Post and The Independent.