NY Shark Attack Survivor Faces Permanent Disability Following Terrifying Rockaway Beach Incident

NY Shark Attack Survivor Faces Permanent Disability Following Terrifying Rockaway Beach Incident

Edited by: TJVNews.com

A 65-year-old Queens woman, Tatyana Koltunyuk, is battling the aftermath of a harrowing shark attack that occurred earlier this month at Rockaway Beach, as was reported by the NY Post.  Having narrowly survived the ordeal, she has since undergone five surgeries in just eight days and now faces a “permanent disability,” according to her family’s recent statement, the Post report added.

“She has undergone 5 surgeries in the first 8 days since the attack, and will require more. Her medical team has predicted that recovery will take several years of intense physical therapy and close medical monitoring, during which time she will have significantly limited mobility,” her family said in a statement.

“Though the full impact of her injury is not yet known, it has left her with a permanent disability.”

The attack left Koltunyuk with a significant loss of flesh above her left knee, and her recovery journey is predicted to be a long and arduous one. As was report by the Post, her daughter and son-in-law shared that the courageous survivor will likely require additional surgeries and years of intensive physical therapy to regain mobility and continue her rehabilitation.

This unfortunate turn of events has drastically changed the course of her life and plans for her upcoming retirement.

The incident occurred on August 7th when Koltunyuk, a former marine engineer originally from Ukraine, was swimming alone near Beach 59th Street at Rockaway Beach, the Post reported. Lifeguards on duty heard her cries for help as she encountered the apex predator. She sustained significant injuries from the shark bite, with reports suggesting that she may have lost approximately 20 pounds of flesh in the attack, according to the Post report. Lifeguards quickly responded and she was rushed to Jamaica Hospital for immediate medical attention.

In the wake of the incident, her family has set up a GoFundMe page to aid in raising funds for her ongoing recovery. The Post report indicated that they expressed their gratitude for the support and assistance from the community. The family highlighted Koltunyuk’s compassionate and selfless nature, sharing that she never hesitated to put others before herself.

Describing their mother’s dreams of a peaceful retirement, Koltunyuk’s family said, “She is 65 years old and was eagerly anticipating her retirement, when she could — for the first time in her life — take a break. She talked about swimming in the ocean every day, walking around the city with a new puppy, and traveling with her daughter and son-in-law,” the Post report said.

This historic attack marks a rare occurrence at Rockaway Beach, with the last known shark incident taking place in 1953. The Post also reported that the nature of the shark responsible for the attack remains uncertain. Initial assessments of teeth marks suggested it could have been a bull or thresher shark, though the involvement of a great white shark could not be ruled out at the time.

The resilience displayed by Tatyana Koltunyuk in the face of such adversity serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and powerful forces of nature. As her recovery journey unfolds, her story emphasizes the importance of community support and the strength that individuals can find within themselves during challenging times.