An Australian woman who was savaged by a shark in Queensland was seen yelling that "sharks are beautiful" as she was led away to a rescue helicopter earlier this week.
Anika Craney, 29, suffered brutal leg injuries after the attack on Tuesday, which occurred off the coast of Fitzroy Island, in the state's far north.
As an experienced underwater diver, Craney was one of seven crew members working on a YouTube documentary series about the animals when the shark struck.
Terry Cumming, Queensland Ambulance Service critical-care flight paramedic, told 7 News Craney suffered "a possible fracture of her lower ankle and some lacerations" after the shark chomped down on her.
But far from screaming in agony, Cumming said Craney was "smiling and happy" as she was airlifted to hospital - a suggestion supported by footage from the scene.
"I still love sharks! Sharks are beautiful!" she was captured exclaiming at 7 News Australia cameras as she was wheeled towards the helicopter on a gurney.
The captain of the boat the team was based on, Dean Cropp, said it was another blow for Craney and the crew, who were forced to stop filming due to the COVID-19 pandemic earlier in the year.
"She seemed to be more worried about missing out on the adventure than the injuries," he told the Sydney Morning Herald. "While you hope it doesn't happen to you, you know it's part of the risk."
Craney has since been photographed posing in her hospital bed with a book about sharks, confirming she still has love for the animal that did such damage to her body.
