Last month, Blake Donaldson came to the rescue of Mangyon “Mani” Zhang, 57, when she was attacked by a bull shark at Gunyah Beach in Bundeena, Australia. Donaldson and his girlfriend, Ellen Melchert, were the only others on the beach when they heard Zhang scream for help. Without hesitation, he ran into the ocean. He punched the shark twice in the nose and then was able to drag Mani back to shore. His girlfriend administered first aid and was able to save her life despite the massive gash in her leg.
Blake says “I wasn’t thinking about the shark, I wasn’t thinking about my own safety — I just can’t watch this woman die".
Paramedic Marco Aielli, who responded to the scene, describes Zhang’s blood loss as catastrophic. She lost consciousness and only awoke hours later after surgery. On the road to recovery and out of the hospital, Zhang recently reunited with Donaldson, expressing her deep gratitude for his bravery and calling him her "lifesaver and hero."
Blake and Mani had an emotional reunion on 60 Minutes Australia.