KAUAI, HAWAII: A 50-year-old surfer has detailed the life-threatening injuries he endured and escape methods he used to fend off a horrifying shark attack that almost cost him his leg.
Kevin Kanehe was enjoying his time on the waves near Hanalei Bay on the island of Kauai in Hawaii on Sunday, October 15, when the shark attacked him.
The shark which was later determined to be a nearly 15-foot-long tiger shark clamped down on Kanehe's left leg, according to local CBS News-affiliate KGMB.
The surfer put up a long battle with the shark, eventually sticking his fingers up its nose to deter it and free himself from its jaws.
Kevin Kanehe was immediately rushed to hospital
Kanehe was fortunate enough to make it alive to the shore after which he was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital so medical staff could tend to his severe injuries.
According to the outlet, doctors said that his actions barely saved him from losing his leg as the shark wasn't able to complete its bite.
A successful surgery was performed on his leg over the weekend. He also suffered injuries to his hand fighting back the shark for which he went under the knife on Tuesday, October 17.
It is considered that it will take at least a year for him to heal completely.
A GoFundMe was set up to support Kevin Kanehe's family
A friend of Kanehe's wife, Deanna, created a GoFundMe page to support the family and the incurred medical costs as the result of the shark attack.
"Kevin and Deanna have two children, Kalei 19 who is attending college in Santa Barbra, Ca, and Aleia 12 who is In 7th grade," the family friend wrote on the page.
"Kevin’s salary will need to be replaced in addition to medical bills, therapies/rehab and possible follow up surgeries."
They continued: "There is a long road ahead and many Hurdles to overcome and I am humbly asking for support from the community to help this wonderful family through the challenging times ahead."
"The support will provide some needed stability and strength for a full recovery," they added.
Kevin Kanehe said the shark attacked him from the left
Kanehe recalled that the shark attacked from the left side when he was paddling in the water and sat on his board to look around.
He was also helped to shore by a witness named Jeff McBride and an unnamed woman on the beach applied a tourniquet and bandages to his wound before emergency services arrived.
"The bite went to the bone above and below his knee, taking some chips off his femur, knee cap and tibia," the friend wrote.
"He his knee was torn up pretty bad and into his joint too. There is still concern for infection," the friend added.
An update saw that Kevin was released from the hospital after the hand surgery and sent home to finish recovery.
