Dive instructor relives horror moment he was attacked by bull shark that tore ... trends now
A diving instructor has discussed the horrific moment he was attacked by 6ft-long bull shark that tore a huge chunk out of his arm while he was spearfishing.
Zack Winegardner, 26, was spearfishing 75ft deep off the coast of Marathon, Florida, on September 6 when a bull shark 'appeared out of nowhere' behind him and sunk its razor-sharp teeth into his right arm, tearing a chunk out of it.
After realizing he'd been bitten, Winegardner quickly ascended to the surface and made his way back to shore before he was airlifted to Jackson South Medical Center in Miami.
Zack said that the freak attack by the huge apex predator left him with a gaping hole in his arm, ripped the tendons in his wrist and imprinted teeth marks down the inside of his lower arm.
He spent ten days in hospital where he had an IV bacterial cleanse, around 90 staples and several stitches in his arm.
Zack Winegardner, 26, was spearfishing 75ft deep off the coast of Marathon, Florida, on September 6 when the attack took place. Pictured right: Zack in hospital with his wife Haley
The instructor of six years was unable to work while he was recovering but six months after ordeal, he is finally back in the water
He also had skin graft to patch up the 'big chunk' missing from it.
This was followed by four months of physiotherapy to help him regain the use of his hand.
Despite the intense therapy, Zack is still unable to fully bend his wrist or open his hand.
Zack, who lives in Marathon, said he had no medical insurance at the time of the accident as he was making a switchover from his parents' policy to his wife's policy.
His gran set up a GoFundMe page to help him pay off the staggering $250,000 bill. So far this has raised more than $8,000.
The instructor of six years was unable to work while he was recovering, but six months after ordeal he is finally back in the water and teaching again, despite having fingers that don't fully function.
The animal lover believes the shark must have mistaken him for food.
He claims people feeding sharks on the docks are responsible for making them 'more comfortable' around humans.
Zack said that the freak shark attack left him with a gaping hole in his arm, ripped the tendons in his wrist and imprinted teeth marks down the inside of his lower arm
Zack said: 'I went spearfishing off Marathon and shot a fish. I was heading back to the boat and a bull shark came from behind me and just latched onto
