Family of woman who had both hands bitten off by shark recall full details of ordeal as husband 'wrestled' the predator

The family of a woman who lost both her hands in a brutal shark attack have spoken out.

On February 7, a Canadian woman encountered a shark while in the waters adjacent to Blue Hills, Providenciales — an island in the Turks and Caicos archipelago.

The ordeal ended in tragedy, with the woman in question ending up having both off her hands completely bitten off by the shark.

According to the family, the animal that attacked her was a seven-foot bull shark.

There were reports that the injured woman was trying to take a photograph at time of the incident, but her loved ones have now said otherwise.

It is believed to have been a bull shark that attacked the woman (Getty Stock Images)

A GoFundMe page has been set up by the brother-in-law of the woman who was seriously injured, where he detailed what happened to the pair.

"While on what was supposed to be a relaxing vacation, my sister-in-law and her husband, my brother, lived what can only be described as a nightmare," he penned on the fundraising page, which you can donate to here.

"After leaving the beach to join her husband, in only hip deep clear water, a seven-foot bull shark came at my sister-in-law and bumped into her legs. The shark then circled around and bit her thigh."

The brother-in-law's post continued: "Not satisfied, the shark came back again and when she put both hands in front of her to protect herself, the shark cut off both of her hands, one at mid forearm and the other at the wrist.

People rushed to the woman's aid once she returned to the beach (GoFundMe)

"Her husband, having rushed back to help, then managed to wrestle away the shark and stayed between her and the shark until she walked out of the water and collapsed on the beach."

The brother-in-law went on to say that following the attack, she was taken to a local hospital before going to be transferred home to Canada via air ambulance for further surgery.

Now, the family hope to raise $26,000 for the couple. At the time of writing, over $22,000 has been raised.

In the wake of the incident, The Department of Environment & Coastal Resources Authorities issued a warning to others traveling to the islands and plan on enjoying Turks and Caicos' beaches.

The family are hoping to raise $26,000 for the injured woman (GoFundMe)

The statement read: "On Friday 7th February a tourist was injured by a shark in the waters adjacent to Blue Hills, Providenciales.

"The individual was taken to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre where she was stabilized and later flown off island for further medical care."

It continued: "The shark was estimated to be approximately 6ft in length, however the species is yet to be confirmed.

"Further to the investigation, it has been determined that the tourist had attempted to engage with the animal from the shallows in an attempt to take photographs."