19 July 2023 , 15:32
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A surfer had a brush with death last week when he was bitten by a shark when it tipped him off his surf board and took a chunk out of his foot, only saved by his hero friend.
Chris Pospisil was out surfing on Friday (July 14) on Florida's east coast when a shark came from underneath him, tipped his board, bit his foot and dragged him underwater.
It was only thanks to his friend and fellow surfer, Reece Redish, that he survived after he pulled him up and out of the water by his shirt and back onto his board.
The two friends had been out all day surfing at popular New Smyrna Beach when the ordeal occurred, which left Chris with extensive damage to his foot.
if his friend hadn't pulled him out the water, things could have taken a fatal turn, Chris added (GoFundMe)He required a four hour surgery to repair seven tendons and a skin graft to wrap around his damaged foot. Doctors also found pieces of the shark's tooth shattered and stuck in his bone.
Teen girl mauled to death by shark in front of her friends in horrendous attack
His surgeon said he lost approximately "one large Chick-fil-a sized cup of blood," according to a GoFundMe account set up by family.
He told Fox35 Orlando: "The shark came from under me, on my board and tipped me backwards off my board, and I was falling backwards, I saw my foot in his mouth, and it dragged me under.
"[Reece's actions] really made a difference. You know, if he wasn’t there, I think it could have been way worse, and I think I definitely wouldn’t have gotten to the shore in time and probably would have passed out in the water."
Chris is now back on his feet, with crutches, and on the road to recovery, which will incline at least six months of physical therapy. and he will be unable to work. But he hopes to get back out on the water soon.
"It hasn’t changed anything. I’m definitely going to keep surfing. It’s my lifestyle, and it’s something I love to do," Chris said.
Reece, who saved his life, added: "I’m not going to leave my friend in the water. I’m willing to put myself at risk to help out anyone."
Chris is back on his feet with assistance from crutches (Gofundme)The surfing duo hope that the ordeal doesn't make people scared of sharks, as they don't believe the shark had set out to kill him.
The GoFundMe set up to help with the cost of surgeries and Chris' loss of income has currently raised $2,450. A friend who set up the page wrote: "We are not sure what the total costs will be yet.
"So I estimated from online Surgeries that were not covered by insurance. And added a half years salary for 10k-20k. The actual costs could be more or less - we really are not sure at this time.
"We hope to update here soon on any other info, but the family asks for prayer on quick healing, and for chris to have high-spirits in a time of uncertainty, while he endures a very painful injury."
Hero desperately tried to save girl, 16, killed by shark in front of friends