Woman barely survives attack after her partner punched the shark in face

Sharks are terrifying and to even think of your loved ones being harmed is even more fearful. The phrase ‘love is blind’ was proved true by this Australian man who fought with a shark to save his wife while she was attacked by none other than the notorious great white shark.

Man wrestles shark

Although the incident happened in 2020 it’s still chilling to recount the day, the now 37-year-old Chantelle Doyle was attacked by a shark. The Australian woman was surfing when she fell from her surfing board. While in the water, a great white shark sneaked up to her and clamped its teeth around her leg, according to Business Insider.

Seeing his wife in distress Mark Rapley plunged into the water and started hitting the shark repeatedly until the shark let Chantelle go. As per Mirror, the nearby swimmers rushed to help the pair and got them out of the water.

Rushed to the hospital

Chantelle was immediately rushed to a hospital in New South Wales. The shark bit her calf and the back of her thigh leaving her with intense nerve damage which resulted in her losing any sensation and muscle control in her leg. She was left paralyzed but she still had strength and hope of recovery.

Over the years with the help of physiotherapy and multiple surgeries, Chantelle has gained back some sensation in her leg, however, a larger part of it is still numb. In an interview with ABC she expressed her thoughts about her rehabilitation process:

My leg is still partially paralysed. And I had expected a lot more and I was just really sick of feeling like I couldn't function the way I ever used to function.

Sources used:

-Business Insider: An Australian surfer saved his wife from a great white shark attack by leaping on the predator's back and repeatedly punching until it let go

-Mirror: Woman mauled by great white shark saved after partner PUNCHED predator in the face

-ABC News: Shark bite survivor Chantelle Doyle enters boxing ring for marine conservation

Read more:

⋙ Woman fatally attacked by a great white shark while on an early morning swim

⋙ Shark attacks a 58-year-old woman while on holiday in the Bahamas

⋙ Great white shark attacks and tears man's kayak in half amid 'plague' numbers