Man who jumped into sea to save woman being attacked by shark describes horrific moment
A man who risked his life to jump into shark infested waters to save a woman who'd been attacked has recalled the horrific incident.
Blake Donaldson and his other half were enjoying a day at the beach when the unthinkable occurred right in front of him.
Donaldson was at Gunyah Beach in Bundeena, Australia, last month when he heard Mangyon 'Mani' Zhang screaming for help while in the sea.
The 57-year-old, who was the only other person on the beach alongside Donaldson and his partner, had been involved in a shark attack.
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While many would not have risked their life in such a situation, Donaldson jumped into the ocean in an attempt to save Zhang.
Recalling events of that day, Donaldson told 60 Minutes Australia: "I just [had] to jump in. The fight-or-flight kicks in, and I just made the decision. Sure there could be a shark but my reaction was, ‘I just have to save this woman.
"I wasn’t thinking about the shark, I wasn’t thinking about my own safety — I just can’t watch this woman drown. Either you watch someone drown or you go out and help them. A couple seconds could mean someone’s life."
Thankfully, Donaldson was able to pull Zhang to shore after initially lifting her on a paddle board unaware of where a potential shark may have been lingering.
Ellen Melchert, Donaldson's partner, luckily knows first aid so she helped Zhang and managed the massive 15-inch wound around her knee before the emergency services arrived at the scene.
Trying to recall the dramatic incident herself, Zhang said: "I can't move. I can't even think. I can't breathe. I don't feel like I have any oxygen coming to my lungs. I thought I should take a deep breath."
Marco Aielli, an intensive care paramedic, told 60 Minutes Australia that Zhang was 'very unwell' and she'd lost a 'catastrophic amount' of blood.
Zhang ultimately lost consciousness before waking up hours later after undergoing surgery.
Back on the mend, Donaldson and Zhang have since been reunited in a special reunion just weeks after the attack.
"You saved my life. Words … cannot express … how thankful I am," Zhang told Donaldson.
The hero replied: "They say, ‘You’re a hero.’ I don’t think about it, but then it sort of does hit you and makes you realize you did save someone."
While Donaldson may have been extremely modest with his answer, there's no doubt he's the reason Zhang is alive today.
Callum Jones