“5 Surgeries in the First 8 Days”: Swimming Vacation Turns Into Horrors After 65-Year-Old New York Native Meets Tragic Fate

Rockaway Beach on the east coast is a favorite swimming spot for the residents of New York City. However, a recent incident has left the community in shock. An elderly woman was attacked by a shark while she was swimming in knee-deep waters near the beach. The tragic incident took place on August 7 and has prompted concerns about the safety of beachgoers in the area. Although the victim survived the lethal attack, her life will never be the same again.

Tatyana Koltunyuk, a 65-year-old Ukrainian immigrant, was swimming off the famous Queen’s Beach in the evening. At about 6 p.m., a shark swam up to her and bit her on the leg. The beast tore off about 20 pounds of flesh from her left thigh. About three weeks after the attack, the victim’s family has come out with a sad update.

Shark attack victim’s family provides heart-wrenching update

Tatyana Koltunyuk has lived and worked in the city since the 1950s. She has deep ties in the community, who are all saddened by her tragic fate. As per Fox News, Koltunyuk was “eagerly anticipating her retirement,” and wanted the majority of her days on the beach or swimming in the open ocean. However, in a cruel twist of fate, her love for the ocean turned into a nightmare and left her permanently disabled. The family revealed that “She has undergone 5 surgeries in the first 8 days since the attack, and will require more”. Even after intensive medical care, she may never walk or swim again.

When Tatyana Koltunyuk was brought to the Jamaica Hospital, she was in critical condition. She had lost a lot of blood despite the efforts of the lifeguards. The lifeguards who rescued her made a tourniquet out of a buoy rope to stop the bleeding and save her life. The doctors took her to the emergency operating theatre and later informed her family that she was in stable condition.

A family member updated the media on Tatyana Koltunyuk, stating, “Her medical team has told us that recovery will take several years of intense physical therapy and close medical monitoring, during which time she will have significantly limited mobility”. The expenses of the treatments are substantial, and the family has sought help from the community.

Community unites to support an elderly swimming enthusiast

Darya Koltunyuk set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for her mother’s treatment. She wrote a passionate plea to the community, sharing her mother’s journey and the financial burden they are facing. She wrote that her mother could not achieve her full potential despite having a degree in marine engineering because of a language barrier.

Tatyana Koltunyuk worked long hours throughout her difficult life to help her children achieve their dreams. Despite not having enough money, Tatyana Koltunyuk made sure that her daughter “could take ballet lessons and piano lessons and have the best possible education”. Now, she wants to do something in return for her loving mother.

Read More: 60-Year-Old Man Almost Suffers From a Catastrophic Shark Attack Despite Swimming at Shore of South Carolina Beach

Darya Koltunyuk estimated that they would need about $100,000 to pay for the physical and psychological therapy sessions, the mobility assistance devices, consultations, and other associated expenses. To her astonishment, the community has come forward with immense support and made about 861 donations so far. She has raised $83,275 and is incredibly grateful to the community. Tatyana Koltunyuk is still at the hospital and is recovering nicely. Her resilience in the face of danger will remain an example for all.

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