A fisherman bitten by a seven-foot shark was saved from bleeding to death by two nurses on a nearby boat.
David Daniel suffered a serious injury and an arterial bleed when the predator sank its teeth into the top of his foot.
The 43-year-old was fishing with friends in shallow water beside a sandbar in Key West, Florida, when the shark struck.
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The healthcare heroes rushed to his aid and helped control the bleeding until the US Coast Guard arrived.
David was airlifted to Jackson South Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery that night.
A second operation followed two days later.
Although he survived, David is expected to be unable to walk for between six and eight weeks.
He will also require extensive physical therapy and could remain off work for several months.
The exterminator does not have health insurance and now faces mounting medical and living costs while he recovers.
Friend Robyn Corliss has launched a GoFundMe to ease the financial burden.
The fundraiser states: “Dave is facing a long and painful recovery after a terrifying shark attack in Key West.
“Thankfully, he is receiving the care he needs, but the road ahead will be difficult.”
Donations will be used to cover David’s medical treatment, physical therapy and living expenses while he is unable to earn.
Robyn added: “Every donation, share, and kind message will mean so much to Dave as he focuses on healing.”
David is originally from Glenside, Pennsylvania, but has lived in Silver Springs, Florida, for the past 10 years.
David initially spotted the nurse shark, estimated to measure between six and seven feet, swimming along the beach line.
He attempted to avoid it but said the animal turned towards him when he began moving.
It bit the top of his foot before releasing him.
David was confronted by a huge amount of blood when he looked down into the water.
He later admitted he believed he might bleed to death on the sandbar.
The attack took place near Boca Grande Key on Sunday, 23 August.
Speaking from his hospital bed, he said he began making peace with the possibility that he would not survive.
Nurses Courtney McMurray and Chris Green then arrived from a nearby boat.
They helped control the bleeding, elevated his injured limb and called for the Coast Guard.
David was discharged from hospital on Wednesday, 26 August, with his foot wrapped and secured inside a boot.
He told local news station WSVN that the near-death experience had left him feeling “incredibly humble and thankful”.
“I realised that every minute does count in your life.
“One minute you could be walking around having a great time, looking at beautiful weather and having fun with friends.
“And the next minute, you could literally be dead.”
The GoFundMe has raised $8,836 (£6,550) towards its $16,000 (£11,850) target.
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