Bull Shark bites a woman’s hands on the beach “after trying to take a picture”

A woman’s family lost both hands after being bitten by a shark on vacation, sharing a frightening attack.

The 55-year-old Canadian woman was traveling to the Turkish and Caicos Islands with her husband when she was “life can only be described as a nightmare”.

Mr. Chevarie, who launched the fundraiser for the couple, described how the attack unfolded and its impact on the couple.

He said: “Leaving the beach to join her husband, with only deep hips, a seven-foot bull shark came to my sister’s slap and hit her legs.” The shark then hovered and bit her thigh.

“Dissatisfied, the shark is back and when she puts her hands in front of her to protect herself, the shark cuts off both hands, one in the middle forearm and the other on the wrist.”

Mr. Shevaly then describes how his brother Ralph “managed to wrestle the shark”, keeping between his wife and creatures as she struggles out of the water and collapses on the beach.

A statement from the Turks and Caicos Islands Environment Ministry said their investigation determined: “Tourists have tried to interact with animals in the shallows to try to take pictures.”

A photo from the scene showed several beach tourists participating in the woman because she was first aided before being taken to a local hospital. Her brother-in-law explained that she was later taken back to Canada by an air ambulance for surgery.

“It’s a blink of an eye and demanding support through GoFundMe,” Mr Chevarie said. The donation has exceeded $23,000.

Shark attacks in Turks and Caicos are rare, with only four people suffering from the incident between 2021 and 2025, all survived. The most common species in archipelago waters is the gray reef shark, which, if caused, is usually only aggressive.

But more aggressive species like bull sharks are also rarely found in waters, a species Mr. Shevari said attacked his sister son.