56-Year-Old Surfer Describes Shark 'Winking' Before Losing Leg

A surfer attacked by a shark off Western Australia says the animal "winked" at him in the instant before it bit off his leg, according to OutKick.

What happened to Mel Ismail at Glenfield Beach?

Mel Ismail, 56, was surfing alone at Glenfield Beach when a shark attacked him, OutKick reported. Ismail told the outlet he tried to poke the shark in the eye during the encounter. The attack left him with a severed leg.

Why does Ismail say the shark 'winked' at him?

Ismail says that as he reached for the animal's eye, the shark winked at him before biting down. OutKick's account does not specify the species of shark involved or how long the encounter lasted.

How was Ismail rescued?

Another surfer paddled into the water, which OutKick described as bloody, to pull Ismail to safety. The report does not name the rescuing surfer or detail how the pair reached shore or medical care afterward.

Where did the attack happen?

The attack occurred at Glenfield Beach in Western Australia, according to the summary accompanying OutKick's report. OutKick's own text does not independently confirm the state, but the outlet's headline and framing place the incident on an Australian beach popular with surfers.

What happens next for Ismail?

OutKick's report does not address Ismail's current medical condition, hospital, or recovery timeline. No Western Australia police, marine authority, or hospital statement is cited in the available reporting.

By the Numbers

• 56 — Ismail's age, per OutKick.
• 1 — number of fellow surfers described as paddling in to rescue him.

What to Watch

• Whether Western Australia shark-management authorities release an official incident report or beach advisory for Glenfield Beach.
• Whether local media or hospital officials confirm Ismail's condition and surgical outcome.
• Whether the shark species involved is identified, which typically follows an investigation by state fisheries or wildlife officers.
• Whether Glenfield Beach sees any temporary closure or increased patrols, a common response to confirmed attacks in Australian coastal communities.

OutKick's report is the only account of the attack currently available, and it does not cite police, hospital, or fisheries officials by name. Readers should treat Ismail's description of events — including the shark's alleged wink — as his personal account rather than a verified sequence confirmed by outside witnesses or authorities, since OutKick's piece does not quote any other named witness.

This is a developing story. HTT News will update if Western Australia authorities or hospital officials release further details on Ismail's condition or the circumstances of the attack.