Great white shark rips off surfer's leg in horrific attack with body part later washing up on shore

Grainy footage appeared to capture the moment the only known surviving species of Carcharodon struck.

McKenzie is seen desperately trying to paddle away, with the shark’s fin clearly coming above water.

The predator also took a chunk out of McKenzie’s surfboard.

McKenzie was attacked at North Shore Beach, Port Macquarie, at 11am on July 23.

The bite was so severe that the 23-year-old’s leg was torn off and the body part later washed up on shore.

McKenzie remarkably managed to get himself back to shore.

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An off-duty police officer used his dog’s lead to make a makeshift tourniquet.

The keen surfer took to social media platform Instagram to update his concerned followers.

He said: "Man oh f*****g man to be here right now just to f*****g be able to hold my beautiful Eve and my family is everything to me, a few days ago I went through a crazy shark attack (biggest shark I’ve ever seen) which was a very crazy scene and scared the living f**k out of me.

"It’s so cool to see so many beautiful people support me.

"There are so many messages to get back to but I wanted to say a massive thanks to everyone for your generous donations on the GoFundMe page.

He later shared a light-hearted photo of being surrounded by loved ones in hospital.

McKenzie, who defiantly claimed he will be "back in the water in no time", only returned to the waves in January after suffering from a significant neck injury.

In a later update from hospital, McKenzie said: "Spot something missing?

"So good to have so many amazing people behind me. I really appreciate it."

Onlookers covered McKenzie’s leg with ice as paramedics rushed to the scene.

He was airlifted for further medical attention and his detached limb was also taken to Port Macquarie Base Hospital.

McKenzie was later flown to a major trauma centre more than 120 miles away.

It is not yet known if the 23-year-old has undergone limb reattachment surgery.

A spokesperson for the local health district would not comment on whether reattachment surgery had been attempted, citing patient privacy.

Local biologists suspect a three-metre long white shark was responsible for attacking his right leg.

A tagged great white shark was later detected at several locations at nearby Coffs Harbour on Monday and Tuesday, local officials revealed.

Australia has witnessed nine shark attacks in 2024, a tracking website has claimed.

Two attacks were described as provoked and none have been fatal so far.

However, out of last year's 10 fatal attacks globally, four took place Down Under.