Teen shark attack survivor Brooklyn Sauer who needed 160 stitches on 40 puncture wounds recalls how she survived the gruesome attack at Nielson Beach Bargara
A teenage girl has recalled how she survived a terrifying shark attack, leaving her with horrific injuries that required more than 160 stitches.
Brooklyn Sauer, 14, was bitten by a shark 200 meters off the shoreline of Nielson Beach near Bargara, in Queensland’s Bundaberg region, on March 15.
Ms Sauer had been to her local beach with a friend for a quick dip after school when she suddenly felt herself being pulled underwater.
She suffered a single bite to her torso and up to 40 stab wounds to her back, abdomen and thighs, requiring more than 160 stitches.
Her father Brett Sauer then received a phone call that no parent ever wants to receive.
Brooklyn Sauer, 14, was bitten by a shark 200 meters off the shoreline of Nielson Beach near Bargara, in Queensland’s Bundaberg region, on March 15.
He was told to rush to the surf lifesaving club’s first aid room because his daughter had been attacked by a shark.
The teenager was rushed to Bundaberg Hospital before being flown to Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane to undergo surgery.
Ms Sauer revealed she did not know she had been bitten until she saw the wound.
“I didn’t really believe it was happening, I was in shock,” she told Seven’s sunrise.
“You pretty much just think about getting out of the water.”
Ms Sauer, a skilled swimmer as a member of her local surfing club, swam 200 meters inshore to get help.
The teenager later revealed that the shark had come out of nowhere.
“It came from behind, kind of. “When I turned back around, I saw a splash, an outline, but that was it,” she said.
“It bit my side here and pulled me down. My friend saw me coming upstairs.’
Ms Sauer had been visiting her local beach (pictured) with a friend for a quick dip after school when she suddenly felt herself being pulled underwater
The teenager was rushed to Bundaberg Hospital before being flown to Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane for surgery
Once in the hands of paramedics, she remained calm and was even able to keep a bandage on one of her wounds.
Ms. Sauer attributes her lucky escape to adrenaline and her life-saving surf training.
The teen is on track to make a full recovery and continues to participate in activities at her local surf club.