Dusty's search had helped reconnect Leeanne with the people who could assist her.
The other surfers helped complete the dangerous movement toward shore.
Leeanne had survived the underwater encounter.
Now the fight to save her life would continue on land.
Chapter 6: A Devastating Injury and an Emergency Airlift
When Leeanne reached shore, the seriousness of her injuries became apparent.
The shark had caused extensive damage to her right thigh.
A substantial amount of tissue was missing.
The injury extended deep enough to involve structures near the bone.
This was far more serious than a superficial bite wound.
The thigh contains major muscle groups responsible for standing, walking, and controlling movement of the leg.
Damage to those tissues can severely affect mobility.
The region also contains important blood vessels and nerves.
A deep wound can therefore create immediate medical dangers as well as long-term functional problems.
Leeanne needed emergency treatment.
The priority was no longer escaping the shark.
It was stabilizing her condition and addressing the damage to her leg.
A helicopter was arranged to transport her to hospital care.
Air transport can be especially important when a severely injured patient requires rapid access to specialized medical services.
For Leeanne, the helicopter flight marked the beginning of a much longer medical struggle.
She had escaped the shark's jaws.
She had been brought to shore by Dusty and other surfers.
But her injuries were too severe to be resolved with first aid alone.
She required extensive hospital treatment.
The supplied account does not establish every emergency procedure performed at the beach or during transportation.
Specific medications, blood transfusions, and surgical techniques should not be assumed without medical documentation.
What is established is that the injury was severe and that Leeanne was airlifted for treatment.
Her survival was still uncertain during the immediate aftermath.
The damage to her thigh would require repeated medical intervention.
Even after the immediate danger of blood loss and other complications was addressed, the long-term consequences remained significant.
Leeanne faced the possibility of lasting impairment to her right leg.
The attack had changed her physical circumstances in a matter of seconds.
The recovery would take far longer.
And the most difficult part of that recovery had only begun.
Chapter 7: Nine Weeks of Intensive Medical Treatment
Leeanne's survival did not mean that her injuries healed quickly.
Following the attack, she underwent an extended period of intensive medical treatment.
Over approximately nine weeks, she required eight surgical procedures.
That figure illustrates the severity of the damage.
A single operation was not sufficient to address the consequences of the shark bite.