# He paddled into bloody water to save a stranger

> A surfer lost his foot to a shark off Western Australia, and the man who pulled him out was standing on the beach.
- Title: He paddled into bloody water to save a stranger · OutKick
- Summary: A surfer lost his foot to a shark off Western Australia, and the man who pulled him out was standing on the beach. The difference between a fatal shark…
- Keywords: shark attack, surfing, rescue, australia, first aid, news, politics, paddled, bloody, water, save, stranger
- Source: OutKick — https://foxnews.com/outkick-culture/australian-surfer-risked-life-save-fellow-surfer-attacked-shark
- Author: Sean Joseph
- Published: 2026-09-15T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: shark attack, surfing, rescue, australia, first aid, news, politics
## A morning surf alone
Mel Ismail, a 56-year-old father from Western Australia, was in the water by himself at Glenfield Beach on Monday morning when a shark bit him.
## It took his foot
The shark bit his leg and he lost his foot. It also clamped the surfboard and tore a chunk out of it.
## Someone was watching
Shannon Dunn was standing on the shore and saw Ismail waving for help. He works for the region's emergency services.
## Straight into the blood
Dunn grabbed his board and paddled out into the bloodied water with the shark still unaccounted for, then towed Ismail back to the beach.

> He didn't hesitate.
## A tourniquet from a leash
On the sand, some teenagers cut in and rigged a tourniquet out of surfboard rope. Dunn loaded Ismail into his vehicle and drove him to a waiting ambulance.

> Some heroes wear capes. Some enjoy surfing and also drive a Ute.
## Stable, long road ahead
Ismail is in serious but stable condition in intensive care at Geraldton Health Campus. Part of Glenfield Beach closed while authorities investigate.

> He has sustained serious injuries and faces a long recovery.
## Key takeaway

The difference between a fatal shark attack and a survivable one is usually how fast someone gets you to shore and stops the bleeding.