Florida student shares harrowing shark attack experience: “It pulled me under.”

A ‌Florida college student opens up about⁢ a ‌terrifying shark‍ attack ‌that left him ‌fighting for⁢ his life. ⁣Chris‌ Pospisil,‍ a ​21-year-old University of‌ Central Florida⁤ student,⁤ and ‍his friend ‌Reece Redish⁣ were‍ surfing at ‌New Smyrna⁤ Beach on ⁢July 14 ‍when‍ the‌ shark⁢ struck.

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In a ​heart-pounding‌ moment, Pospisil ⁢recalls, “The​ shark came from under me, on my board‌ and ⁣tipped me backwards⁤ off my ⁣board, and ⁤I​ was⁤ falling backwards, I saw my foot ⁢in ‍his⁢ mouth, ⁣and ⁣it dragged me under.”

Fortunately, Redish was quick⁤ to react. “Immediately‌ when ​I‌ resurfaced, ⁤Reece was already ‍there, ‍already ‌on⁢ top of ‌me, got me ⁢by⁣ my⁣ shirt, and pulled ⁢me⁤ on⁣ the board,”‍ Pospisil ‌shares.

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Redish, displaying⁣ incredible bravery, says,‍ “I’m not​ going to leave my‍ friend in ‍the water.‌ I’m⁣ willing to ‌put myself at risk ⁤to help ‌out anyone.”

A​ nasty shark ⁤bite in⁤ New Smyrna ⁤Beach⁢ sent a 21-year-old UCF surfer ​to ‌the ⁢hospital. Several tendons were ⁤severed in⁢ Chris ⁤Pospisil’s ‍foot ⁢and​ the ⁤shark‌ left⁣ a ⁣tooth in‌ his bone. Pospisil‍ credits his surfing ​buddy ⁣with saving ⁢his ⁢life. @fox35orlando ⁣ https://t.co/rBChiEwB4O

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— Amy ⁤Kaufeldt ‍FOX‍ 35​ (@Fox35Amy) July ‌19, 2023

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Pospisil⁢ underwent emergency ​surgery ⁢and doctors were able​ to⁤ save‌ his foot. However, he will have⁣ to ⁤deal ⁣with some long-term‌ effects. ⁢”The⁢ top⁤ of my foot ⁣is going ​to be⁤ numb⁤ in​ some⁣ areas⁣ for the‌ rest of‍ my ​life, and my foot might be ⁤stiff ‍because they ⁢had‍ to repair all seven ⁣tendons,” ​he explains.

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Despite the ‌traumatic experience, Pospisil is ‌grateful‌ for Redish’s heroic actions. “Reece really‍ made the⁢ difference,” he⁤ acknowledges. ⁢”If he ⁣wasn’t⁣ there, ‌I think ‍it‌ could have been‌ way ‍worse,‍ and I think ​I⁣ definitely wouldn’t⁣ have gotten⁣ to‍ the ‍shore‍ in time⁢ and probably⁣ would ‌have‌ passed out ⁢in the water.”

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After​ being⁤ released from⁢ the hospital, Pospisil will now embark⁢ on ⁢a six-month⁢ journey of physical therapy.⁤ When​ asked if the​ attack will ‍deter⁣ them ⁣from surfing,‍ both friends are resolute. ⁣”It hasn’t changed anything. I’m definitely going to⁣ keep surfing,” Pospisil declares. Redish ‍echoes his sentiment, saying,​ “I​ think I⁢ can ‌do⁤ it. I⁤ know‍ I ⁤can. ⁢When Chris is better, ‍I’ll be surfing⁤ with him every day.”