Tourist loses both hands in shark attack on Turks and Caicos Islands

A Canadian woman, aged 55, experienced a life-altering shark attack while snorkeling in the Turks and Caicos Islands, resulting in the loss of both her hands. According to her brother-in-law, Al Chavarie, the incident occurred when she attempted to take a photograph with a seven-foot bull shark while in shallow waters. The shark initially bumped into her before biting her thigh. When the woman tried to protect herself, it attacked again, severing one hand at the wrist and the other at mid-forearm. Chavarie detailed that her husband, Ralph, managed to push the shark away and helped her reach safety on the beach, where emergency responders provided first aid. She was later airlifted to Canada for surgery. The Turks and Caicos Islands Environment Department stated their investigation confirmed that the woman had attempted to engage with the shark for a photo. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support the couple, having raised over $23,000 CAD. Shark attacks in the region are rare, with only four reported cases since 2021, all of which did not result in fatalities.

A Canadian woman suffered severe injuries after a shark bit off both her hands while she attempted to take a photograph off the coast of the Turks and Caicos Islands last week. The attack occurred approximately ten yards from the shore at Thompson’s Cove Beach around 10:30 am on February 7, as local authorities reported. The victim, 55, was reportedly swimming in shallow waters when the shark struck. Witnesses noted that her husband tried to fend off the shark during the attack. Disturbing images revealed a crowd gathered around the injured woman as beachgoers applied pressure to her arms to control the bleeding. She lost one hand at the wrist and the other midway down her forearm. A relative indicated that despite her injuries, she managed to make it back to the shore before receiving medical treatment. Though she was bitten on the thigh, she retained her leg. Recovery efforts are currently ongoing as officials caution beachgoers to avoid the water until it is deemed safe.

A 55-year-old Canadian tourist has lost both her hands following a shark attack that occurred on February 7 in Providenciales, a popular destination in the Turks and Caicos Islands. According to island officials, the woman had attempted to engage with a six-foot shark from shallow waters to take photographs when the incident took place. Details from her family reveal that after initially bumping into her legs, the shark returned and bit her thigh. In a desperate attempt to protect herself, she held out both hands, resulting in the shark severing one hand at the mid-forearm and the other at the wrist. Her husband reportedly intervened, managing to fend off the shark and assist her out of the water as she collapsed on the beach. The victim received stabilization treatment at a local hospital before being airlifted to Canada for emergency surgery. A GoFundMe page established by her brother-in-law has raised approximately $23,000 CAD to support the couple, highlighting the severe impact of the attack on their lives.