17. Bethany Hamilton loses an arm surfing in Hawaii.
In one of the most famous shark attacks since the release of Jaws, young surfer Bethany Hamilton was bitten by a great white while out riding waves with her family. Despite losing her left arm in the attack, Hamilton has gone on to establish herself as one of the world’s best surfers, as well as a popular TV personality.
Hamilton was just 13 years old when the attack that changed her life took place. She was enjoying her usual morning surf along Tunnels Beach on her native Hawaii, accompanied by her best friend, as well as her friend’s father and brother. When she was waiting for her wave with her arm gangling in the water, a 4.3-meter tiger shark attacked, taking her arm clean off just below the shoulder. The rest of her party managed to get her to hospital and onto the operating table in time. Despite losing 60 per cent of her blood, she survived. Within one month of the attack, she was back on her board.
Shortly after the attack, local fishermen reported that they had caught a giant tiger shark close by. Investigators found fragments of surf board in its mouth and tests confirmed it was the shark that attacked Hamilton. Over the years, she has succeeded in adjusting her technique and has won numerous top-level surfing competitions. Alongside her surfing, Hamilton is also a children’s author and carries out lots of charity work, helping other young amputees adjust to their new lives.