A TOURIST has been left with an amputated leg after she was mauled by a shark in a horrific snorkelling attack just days before her 30th birthday.
The 30-year-old Austrian woman fell victim to the predator while holidaying in the Galapagos Islands.
Elisabeth, 30, was attacked by a shark in the Galapagos Islands where Galapagos sharks (pictured) are known to live Credit: Getty
She had been on a boat tour that left from Santa Cruz Island (pictured) to the waters around neighbouring Santa Fe island Credit: Getty
She had been on a guided snorkelling tour with her husband, hoping to see sea lions and turtles, when the
Accompanied by seven other holidaymakers and the guide the tour set out from Santa Cruz Island, heading for the bays of nearby Santa Fe Island.
The woman – only identified as Elisabeth O – had set up her camera in the shallow waters of the Pacific Ocean before jumping in.
Just seconds into the swim, she felt a sharp bite on her right leg.
Looking down, she realised the was attached to her leg.
Elisabeth desperately fought to free her right leg from its grip, later telling Austrian media outlet Österreichische Nachrichten that the “shark came out of nowhere”.
The animal then went on to bite her left leg three times.
She eventually managed to escape thebut sustained serious injuries.
Two Canadian doctors had also been in her tour group and immediately began providing Elisabeth with medical care.
The boat rushed her back to Santa Cruz where she was then transported to the island’s hospital and underwent surgery.
Later, she was taken to mainland in the city of Guayaquil.
But despite their best efforts, doctors were forced to amputate her lower right leg.
Elisabeth said she had expected this outcome.
She told the Austrian newspaper: “When I saw it after the , I knew it couldn’t be saved”.
Of her left leg, she said she was lucky and that “the wounds are healing well”.
Elisabeth celebrated her 30th birthday in her hospital bed.
She is now learning to walk with a walking aid, saying she was “grateful to be alive”.
“Today’s prostheses are true marvels; I will be able to continue living my life,” she added.
Elisabeth is still in , waiting to be able to return to Austria.
There are several shark species that inhabit the waters around the Galapagos Islands, with both tiger and Galapagos sharks being considered dangerous to humans.
Holidaymakers are encouraged only to dive and snorkel in the region when they are accompanied by experienced tour guides.
There have been no reported fatalities from shark attacks in the Galapagos Islands.
An into Elisabeth’s ordeal has been launched, but it remains unknown what species of shark was responsible for her attack.
At the time, the animal was not able to be identified.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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