Shark Attack Survivor Recounts Battling Predator by Targeting Its Eye

WHO:

NY Post - Mel Ismail, a professional firefighter and surfer, is the shark attack survivor.

ABC News - Shannan Dunn, a fellow surfer, assisted Ismail during the rescue.

WHAT:

NY Post - Ismail was attacked by a shark while surfing.

ABC News - The shark severed Ismail's right leg below the knee during the attack.

ABC News - Ismail jabbed at the shark's eye in an effort to fight it off.

ABC News - Ismail described the shark as having a "big black eye" and said it appeared to be "winking" at him during the attack.

ABC News - Ismail caught a wave that took him approximately 20 meters (66 feet) closer to shore after the attack.

ABC News - Ismail stated that he had a "heap of people laughing, keeping me alive, keeping me positive" during his rescue.

WHERE:

NY Post - The attack occurred at Glenfield Beach near Geraldton on Australia's west coast.

ABC News - Ismail was later assisted on the beach by Dunn and other onlookers.

WHEN:

NY Post - The shark attack took place on September 14.

ABC News - Four days after Ismail's attack, a 63-year-old swimmer named Greg O’Neill was fatally mauled by a shark off Sorrento Beach.

WHY:

ABC News - Authorities have yet to determine the species of shark that attacked Ismail.

HOW:

ABC News - Ismail struggled back to shore after the attack, assisted by Dunn who helped him onto his board.

ABC News - An onlooker crafted a tourniquet for Ismail using a leg rope after he reached the beach.

(UPDATED October 9, 2026 08:07 UTC)

Mel Ismail, a professional firefighter and surfer, survived a shark attack at Glenfield Beach near Geraldton on Australia's west coast, where he lost his right leg below the knee. During the terrifying encounter, Ismail fought back by jabbing at the shark's eye and later described it as having a "big black eye" that seemed to be "winking" at him. Fortunately, he was assisted back to shore by fellow surfer Shannan Dunn and other onlookers, who helped him stay positive and crafted a tourniquet to manage his injuries.