Surfer Mel Ismail recounts shark attack and rescue

Surfer and professional firefighter Mel Ismail says he tried to push at a shark’s eye as it dragged him underwater during an attack at Glenfield Beach in Western Australia that cost him his right leg below the knee. Surfer Shannan Dunn and beachgoers helped bring him to shore and get medical assistance, according to accounts from Ismail and Dunn. The reports disagree on whether the attack happened September 13 or September 14, 2026. Ismail was surfing near Geraldton when he saw a pod of dolphins and was struck by something he initially thought was one of them. He said he then realized a shark had grabbed him and pulled him underwater. Ismail described seeing the shark’s large, dark eye and trying to push at it while he was being dragged. The shark species has not been identified, and the incident is under investigation by fisheries, according to reports. After the shark released him, Ismail caught a wave that carried him closer to shore. He said he was losing strength when he spotted Dunn, who paddled out and helped him onto his surfboard. Dunn said he brought Ismail toward the beach on the board, using small waves to move them shoreward.