A 61-year-old man in Hawaii is recovering after being bitten by a shark while surfing.

On Friday, November 1, Maui Police and Fire announced in a Press release that a man was bitten on the leg while surfing at the “Sand Piles” at Waiehu Beach Park.

First responders were called to the scene around 7:00 a.m. local time, and police immediately used a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. However, paramedics later confirmed that the man’s leg had been completely severed “just below the knee.”

Maui Fire and Public Safety Department (MFD) Deputy Chief Jeff Giesea said in the news release that the victim was conscious while being treated on the ground. He was later taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center in critical condition.

TO GoFundMe The page set up by the man’s friends and family identified him only as Kenji.

“I would like to congratulate the patient for his strength and his resources to get to shore. I mean, that is extraordinary. Whatever good Samaritans were who offered help, I would like to congratulate them as well,” Giesea told local media. Hawaii News Now.

According to the GoFundMe page, which has a goal of $100,000 to cover medical and other expenses, Kenji has been an avid surfer on the island for more than 30 years and is known as a regular at many of its beaches.

“If you’ve ever been with him, you’ve probably experienced his incredible foam and screams as he surfs the waves with the biggest smile on his face,” the GoFundPage about the man says.

Fundraiser organizers wrote that Kenji had been surfing with friends the morning of the attack and that they helped carry him to shore.

“In true Kenji style, immediately after coming out of surgery, he wisely said, ‘I still love the ocean!’ and we want to support him so he can get back to doing what he loves,” the page states.

Organizers also shared an update on Saturday, writing that Kenji was out of the ICU.

“This accident hasn’t dampened his enthusiasm one bit, but he still has a long road of healing ahead of him, so please continue to spread the word and thank you very much to those who have donated,” they said. “Kenji is staying positive and strong for his recovery, and in his own wise words, he says ‘tomorrow mo’ betta!” ”

Giesea said MFD protocol required people to stay out of the water within a one-mile radius of the attack for the first 24 hours afterward. Maui Fire Department personnel have also been patrolling the water in boats and drones looking for shark activity.

According to the state Department of Land and Natural ResourcesMore than 40 species of shark frequent its waters, and 8 of them are seen near the shores, including the whitetip reef, sandbar, scalloped hammerhead and tiger shark.

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Although Maui officials have not indicated what type of shark bit Kenji, the department said tiger sharks are considered the most dangerous sharks in Hawaiian waters.

However, shark bites remain extremely rare overall. He International Shark Attack Filerun by the Florida Museum of Natural History, reported 36 bites in the United States last year, including eight in Hawaii and one fatal bite.