A shark attack survivor has spoken out about the terrifying encounter that left him needing a below-the-knee amputation of his right leg.
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Mel Ismail, a firefighter, came face to face with a shark on September 14 while surfing at Glenfield Beach on Australia's west coast.
Ismail fought back by jabbing the shark in the eye before managing to escape and make his way toward shore.
Shark Attack Survivor Recalls Terrifying Encounter
Speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Thursday, Ismail recalled the moment the shark attacked him.
He had been sitting beyond the surf break when he spotted approximately 20 dolphins swimming nearby. Moments later, something suddenly struck him.
Initially believing a dolphin had hit him, Ismail quickly realized the seriousness of the situation when the animal dragged him underwater.
"And suddenly — bang — something grabbed me and dragged me down into the water. And I knew it was a shark," Ismail said. "I got to a point where I saw its eye ... a big black eye."
"But it was winking back at me — I was trying to get my fingers in its eye and just pushing its eye as I was being dragged."
Many shark species lack movable eyelids, and striking or targeting a shark's eyes has previously helped victims escape attacks.
Despite suffering severe injuries, Ismail managed to break free and begin making his way back to shore.
Fellow Surfers Helped Rescue Injured Firefighter
Alone and bleeding heavily, Ismail caught a wave that carried him approximately 66 feet closer to the beach.
Fellow surfer Shannan Dunn spotted the injured firefighter and immediately rushed into the water to help.
"The first thing he (Dunn) said to me is, 'Where's the shark?'" Ismail added.
"I said 'I don't know. I've got a bit going on here.'"
Another beachgoer called an ambulance, while two teenagers helped Ismail into the back of Dunn's SUV. They then drove to meet emergency responders.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Ismail recalled how those around him helped keep his spirits high.
"I had a heap of people laughing, keeping me alive, keeping me positive in the back," he continued.
"I gave a few knuckles to the people there, because I was feeling good. I started to feel like I (was) going to make it."
Although the attack cost him part of his right leg, Ismail remains determined to return to the ocean and hopes to resume surfing as a bodyboarder.
Authorities have yet to identify the shark species responsible for the attack.
Australia has recorded five fatal shark attacks in 2026.
