Lethal Waters: Great Barrier Reef Attack

Summary

Real Survival Stories: "Lethal Waters: Great Barrier Reef Attack"

Overview In this gripping episode of Real Survival Stories, host John Hopkins narrates the harrowing experience of Justine Barwick, a 47-year-old care worker who survived a terrifying shark attack in the pristine waters of the Great Barrier Reef. The episode delves into the moments leading up to the attack, the immediate struggle for survival, the intricate rescue operation, and Justine's journey through intensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. Her story is a testament to human resilience and the unbreakable bonds of friendship and family.

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1. Setting the Scene

John Hopkins sets the stage on September 19, 2018, describing the idyllic Whitsundays in Queensland, Australia—a diver's paradise known for its vibrant coral reefs and serene beaches.

"It's September 19, 2018. Light is fading across the Whitsundays... a collection of green and gold islands dotted around the Coral Sea just off the coast of Queensland, Australia." [00:33]

The tranquil atmosphere is disrupted as the sun sets, leaving the once lively harbor eerily quiet.

2. Introducing Justine Barwick and Her Crew

Justine Barwick, along with her husband Craig and friends Lynn, Michelle, and Ben, are enjoying a peaceful sailing trip on their yacht, the Topaz. Their camaraderie and deep bonds are evident as they share stories and relive memories.

"We just clicked immediately and we've been besties ever since... They've been through so much together, those bonds are forged. They're hard bonds. They are unbreakable bonds." [07:20]

This close-knit group is well-prepared for their journey, familiar with the Whitsundays' waters, and anticipates a short stay in the sheltered Cid Harbor due to an incoming weather front.

3. The Sudden Attack

As the day transitions into evening, Justine decides to take one last swim, unaware of the danger lurking beneath the waves. Moments later, chaos erupts when a tiger shark violently attacks her leg.

"The water was beautiful and refreshing, but then, as my head resurfaced on my way back up from my dive, that's when the shark hit my leg and bit into my leg." [15:24]

The tiger shark, known for its aggressive behavior, clamps down on Justine's femoral artery, leading to rapid blood loss.

"I saw the spurts of blood from where my femoral artery was and it wasn't just severed. It was gone... my thigh was just gone." [02:10]

4. Immediate Response and Struggle for Survival

Seconds turn into minutes as Justine and her crew grapple with the severity of the situation. Justine remains remarkably calm despite the life-threatening injury.

"I just had to stay calm to try and just keep my heart rate from rising because if my heart rate rose that I was going to bleed out faster." [04:22]

Her best friend Lynn, a volunteer paramedic, takes charge, applying pressure to the wound and organizing makeshift bandages.

"I think I'm going to die. And she was very firm with me... you're not allowed to die." [23:27]

5. The Rescue Operation

With Justine's condition deteriorating rapidly, Lauren's daughter Michelle makes a desperate mayday call using the marine radio, initiating a multi-boat rescue effort. Dr. John Haddock, a nearby medical professional, responds swiftly to assist.

"My name's John, I'm an ED doctor... you have a chance of survival. So we need to make a plan to get you out of here." [26:21]

The rescue team coordinates to transfer Justine onto an inflatable dinghy under perilous conditions, battling strong waves and limited visibility.

"With the mast and the boom and the spreaders and everything that's on a yacht. The helicopter can't get near that. It's not safe." [30:35]

Ben from the helicopter displays extraordinary bravery, manually assisting in getting Justine secured and lifted into the rescue helicopter despite the challenging environment.

"Ben from the rescue helicopter had to make a decision... he then dropped into the water... incredible bravery." [34:27]

6. Medical Intervention and Surgery

Despite the immediate efforts, Justine faces critical challenges en route to the hospital. Blood loss is severe, and her blood pressure plummets, necessitating urgent surgical intervention.

"It takes hours of painstaking, intricate work from surgeons... I've got a large scale where they took a large piece of vein from my left leg that they used to give me a new femoral artery on my right leg." [37:50]

Justine undergoes a series of life-saving surgeries, including fasciotomies and reconstructive procedures, to restore blood flow and repair the extensive damage to her thigh.

"ICU is a really confronting place... I couldn’t talk to them. It just made me feel much safer." [38:58]

7. Recovery and Rehabilitation

Post-surgery, Justine faces a long road to recovery. Physical therapy is intensive as she relearns how to walk with her reconstructed leg, dealing with nerve damage and muscle weakness.

"I have to learn to walk with an aide to lift up that foot. So there's so much to everything that we do in everyday life that when you've got to rebuild, it's actually really a tough thing to do." [39:58]

Despite the physical challenges, Justine remains determined, finding strength in her support system and her own inner resilience.

8. Reflections and Moving Forward

A year after the attack, Justine returns to the Whitsundays to reconnect with her rescuers and seek closure. She reflects on her survival, emphasizing gratitude and the realization of her own strength.

"The biggest thing that I have learned is that I underestimated myself my whole life... I've learned that I'm capable of a lot more than what I gave myself credit for." [45:14]

Justine acknowledges the duality of trauma—its inspiring and gritty sides—and highlights the importance of accepting both to heal properly.

"Today, people only see the inspiring side of trauma, but there's a gnarly, gritty, horrible side of it as well. And both of those sides are necessary." [45:14]

9. Aftermath and Community Impact

The series of shark attacks in Sid Harbor, including Justine's, leads to increased safety measures such as baited drum lines and warning signs. These interventions aim to prevent future incidents, though they come with their own controversies.

"Baited drum lines are laid which catch and kill six sharks. But these are controversial and not seen as a long term solution." [42:07]

10. Conclusion

Justine Barwick's story is one of immense courage and survival against the odds. Her ability to remain calm, rely on her training, and the unwavering support of her loved ones played crucial roles in her miraculous survival. The episode underscores the incredible strength of the human spirit and the profound impact of community and preparedness in the face of life-threatening adversity.

"I never want to be the girl who is too scared to do anything... if we let fear paralyze us, then what does life look like?" [45:14]

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Notable Quotes:

• Justine Barwick [02:10]: "I saw the spurts of blood from where my femoral artery was and it wasn't just severed. It was gone. From my groin to my knee. My thigh was just gone."

• John Hopkins [15:37]: "Tiger sharks can grow up to 18ft long... they are statistically one of the most dangerous species of shark."

• Justine Barwick [04:22]: "I just had to stay calm to try and just keep my heart rate from rising because if my heart rate rose that I was going to bleed out faster."

• Justine Barwick [23:27]: "I think I'm going to die... you're not allowed to die."

• John Hopkins [26:21]: "You have a chance of survival. So we need to make a plan to get you out of here."

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This episode of Real Survival Stories not only narrates an extraordinary tale of survival but also explores the psychological and emotional aftermath of such a traumatic event. Justine's journey exemplifies how ordinary individuals can confront and overcome unimaginable challenges with courage, support, and unwavering determination.

Transcript

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[John Hopkins]

It's September 19, 2018. Light is fading across the Whitsundays, a collection of green and gold islands dotted around the Coral Sea just off the coast of Queensland, Australia. By day, this diving paradise is teeming with swimmers exploring the warm turquoise waters. People leap from boats to revel in the scattered multicolored reefs hidden below, while others stroll along the plentiful white sandy beaches. But with the light fading, the sea is now emptier. Holidaymakers have retreated to the shore, to the mainland or back to their boats. A normally lively, convivial atmosphere has subtly altered into something more eerie as the darkening waves slosh up and down. On the western side of Whitsunday island, the largest in the area, there is an inlet known as Cid Harbor. Here, a smattering of small vessels bob peacefully on the water. And then through the gloom, a horrifying scream rings out across the harbor. On board a 39 foot sailing yacht, 47 year old Justine Barwick is in trouble. The floor of the boat is slick with a frothing combination of salt water and blood. Trembling, trying to catch her breath, Justine looks down at her leg.

[Justine Barwick]

I saw the spurts of blood from where my femoral artery was and it wasn't just severed. It was gone. From my groin to my knee. My thigh was just gone.

[John Hopkins]

Her family and friends crowd around her, trying their best to keep her calm. They packed the wound with towels and bandages, but it's clear the trauma is severe. What's more, any rescue from this secluded spot will be immensely complex and risky. It seems Justine may only have minutes left.

[Justine Barwick]

It was a very distinct feeling that I knew that I was very probably going to die.

[John Hopkins]

Ever wondered what you would do when disaster strikes if your life depended on your next decision, could you make the right choice? Welcome to Real Survival Stories. These are the astonishing tales of ordinary people thrown into extraordinary situations. People suddenly forced to fight for their lives. In this episode, we meet Justine Barwick, a 47 year old care worker. Justine loves the Queensland coast and takes regular trips here to relax with her friends and family. But one day, swimming in waters she's safely explored hundreds of times before things take a sudden and shocking turn. Out of nowhere, Justine faces a monstrous attack, a fight in the waves and a life threatening injury.

[Justine Barwick]

I was acutely aware right from the moment I got out of the water that I was in massive trouble.

[John Hopkins]

With major trauma to one of the largest arteries in her body, life is literally draining from her. The countdown has started.

[Justine Barwick]

I just had to stay calm to try and just keep my heart rate from rising because if my heart rate rose that I was going to bleed out faster.

[John Hopkins]

I'm John Hopkins from the Noiser Podcast Network. This is Real survival stories. It's September 19, 2018. Boats and swimmers are scattered across the bright blue waters of the Whitsundays, the cluster of 74 islands off Australia's northeast coast at the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Colorful fish, graceful stingrays and serene sea turtles glide through the coral. Many of the surrounding islands are uninhabited, with untouched rainforest running down the rugged mountains to the clear waters below. It's a place of stunning natural beauty. On the edge of the Whitsunday's largest island is the popular Whitehaven beach, its pristine sands dotted with sunbathers. Just beyond, among the assorted collection of boats undulating in the sea, is a 39 foot sailing yacht, the Topaz. On board, Justine Barwick sits on deck drinking it all in.

[Justine Barwick]

I've been a bit of an accidental sailor because my husband's a sailor and and my best friend's a sailor, so I guess by default that makes me a sailor. I do like to go sailing when the weather's fine, where the conditions are predictable and calm. That's where I'm most happy. But it's a great way to experience nature and experience the world and to see parts of, for me, Australia in ways that otherwise you wouldn't get to see them.

[John Hopkins]

They are 10 days into a three week holiday. Craig, her husband of 25 years, is checking the weather forecast for the days ahead. From the cool waters below, Justine's best friend, Lynn, shouts up and laughs as she swims. Lynn's daughter Michelle is on deck, reading alongside her husband Ben. They're enjoying the last of the sponge cake that Justine baked earlier. All in all, it's a fine day to be alive. Lynn climbs back onto the boat, shaking the sea from her hair and grabbing a towel before sharing a joke with Justine. The pair have been firm friends ever since Justine moved to the port city of Bernie in Tasmania 25 years ago.

[Justine Barwick]

We just clicked immediately and we've been besties ever since. She's a pretty special individual and we've certainly been through so much together. We're each other's really safe place and we're just so supportive of each other. But also we tell each other how it is as well. There's nothing that goes unsaid between the two of us. In 2006 we were actually, we were nuns in a musical. And during one of the costume changes, Lynn, as she took off her nun habit, she was like, oh, I've got a lump in my breast. And I said, oh no you don't, no you don't, don't be silly. But sure enough, she did in fact have a lump in her breast and ended up needing to have a full mastectomy and chemotherapy and radiation therapy and other follow up therapies. And that was the toughest time of my life supporting my best friend through that journey. But when you do go through so much together, those bonds are forged. They're hard bonds. They are unbreakable bonds.

[John Hopkins]

Lynn's daughter Michelle was only a teenager at the time of the diagnosis. So Justine took on the role of a second mother, a guide through choppy waters. And today the two families remain close, sharing regular cook ins back home and trips away together. The Whit Sundays are a favorite spot. They've been sailing this area over the last five years and know the waters well. Today has been another idyllic day with little more than the odd gust of wind breaking up the warmth. But Craig has just heard that a weather front is due to come in. Nothing too surprising in these tropical climes, though. Not something to ignore either. The group agrees to sail around the coast to the more sheltered anchorage of Cid Harbour on the west side of the island. Here they can hunker down, read books, play games and watch movies until the weather passes. Craig takes the helm and starts the journey around the island. He and Justine enjoy a good life. They've been together for a quarter of a century and have raised two daughters.

[Justine Barwick]

Craig taught the girls to sail at the local yacht club. And we just had a lovely, lovely time raising our family in Burnie. He's an incredible guy. He's a very logical, rational guy. He's not prone to, you know, outbursts of emotion or anger or anything like that. He's really calm, he's funny and he's a very practical guy as well. If you need a bookshelf built, he's your guy. You need your car serviced, he'll, he'll get into that for you.

[John Hopkins]

It's late afternoon as Craig sails the group Into Sid Harbor, a curved mouth of water semi encircled by beaches and lush green. It never fails to take the breath away.

[Justine Barwick]

It's absolutely gorgeous. You can sit on the deck of your boat and you can listen to the birds that are in the trees. At Sid Harbour, the bird song sort of floats across the water. You get a great outlook over the islands. It's sheltered, it's quiet, even if there are, you know, quite a few boats there. Being a sheltered anchorage, it's quite popular, but it's just really lovely.

[John Hopkins]

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[Justine Barwick]

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[John Hopkins]

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[Justine Barwick]

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[John Hopkins]

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[Justine Barwick]

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[John Hopkins]

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[Justine Barwick]

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[John Hopkins]

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[Justine Barwick]

When your mum adopts that particular tone that all of us know from our mums, that when they say you need to apply, I could tell that there was no point discussing it. I just needed to do it. And I was actually really horrified when I got the job because then I thought, oh, gosh, I've got to follow through with this now. By lunchtime on the first day, it just. It had me. The people and the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives, whether it's living with a disability in their own home or whether it's ageing successfully in their own home. What's something very little to us can have a really big impact in somebody's day or their life or their experience of being able to stay at home. I quickly learned that I worked really well with people and getting people to understand change Assisting them to navigate through change, seeing why change is a necessary thing and it's often a good thing.

[John Hopkins]

These days, Justine's in management, with 150 people reporting to her. With the pressure of the job, downtime like this, cruising around the glorious Coral Sea becomes crucial. The group drops anchor around 4.45pm A good number of crews have had a similar idea. Around 60 boats are here already, sheltering in the COVID For now, the weather remains calm. Craig heads below deck with Ben to chill some drinks for sundown. Michelle and Lynn are drying off after their latest dip. As the afternoon morphs into evening, Justine decides to go for one last swim herself. She stands with her toes curled over the edge of the boat and breathes in deeply, taking in the sprawling sea, the verdant islets, the enormous sky. She kicks off from the boat and dives, plunging deep into the blue. The water is cool and refreshing. Bubbles flurry past her face and for a few moments, everything is tranquil. Justine turns and kicks up towards the surface. She rises, eyes closed, totally unaware of what's around her. And that's when, from below, a juggernaut strikes.

[Justine Barwick]

The water was beautiful and refreshing, but then, as my head resurfaced on my way back up from my dive, that's when the shark hit my leg and bit into my leg.

[John Hopkins]

Justine is flung around in the water as the powerful creature clamps down with vice like jaws, its razor sharp fangs serrating her leg. This aggressive apex predator is a tiger shark.

[Justine Barwick]

I don't have the words to describe that force and I don't remember saying it, but apparently I said, get it off me. Get it off me.

[John Hopkins]

Tiger sharks can grow up to 18ft long alongside bulls and great whites. Tigers are statistically one of the most dangerous species of shark, one of the most likely to bite. They can and do eat almost anything and have even been known to attack boats. That said, what's happening to Justine is totally unexpected. While there are some sightings of sharks in parts of the Whitsundays, there's never before been a recorded attack in Sid Harbor. As the tiger clamps down on her thigh, Justine starts to fight back, crying out for help and attempting to force herself away from its immense grip. The water around her starts to turn crimson. In the frenzy, it's a blur. But somehow, mercifully, Justine manages to release herself from its mouth. The pressure on her leg lessens and she is free.

[Justine Barwick]

I thought it was just a really smooth push. I just encouraged this tiger shark off my leg, but it wasn't that easy and I turned and swam to the boat. And I remember being just so stunned that I was so close to the stern of the boat, because I would never dive in as close to the stern of the boat as what I was. I was literally only two or three swim strokes away from the stern of the boat. So that confused me. But I think that push and that force with which the shark hit me, I think it pushed me closer to the stern of the boat. And when I pushed the shark away, I think I didn't in fact push the shark away. I probably pushed myself back off the shark.

[John Hopkins]

Craig and Ben hear her shouts and race to the back of the boat. They see her beneath them, flailing in an expanding pool of red. She has to get out of the water immediately. Thrashing her arms and kicking with her uninjured left leg, Justine manages to battle her way to the swim ladder. She grasps it with both hands, but is unable to climb up. She dangles in the water, her lower half perilously exposed. Craig and Ben reach down and haul her onto the boat, placing her on the floor of the yacht's enclosed cockpit. She's out of the water, away from the shark. But the relief is short lived. Glancing down, Justine sees for the first time the full damage to her right leg.

[Justine Barwick]

At that point, I knew I was bitten by the shark because it couldn't have been anything else. I remember looking down and it was just the inside of my thigh. All of the back, all of the front was just gone. It was just not there. And I could see bone. And I thought this was really serious. And then I saw the spurts of blood from where my femoral artery was. And it wasn't just severed, it was gone. From my groin to my knee, my thigh was just gone. It's not an image that I will ever forget.

[John Hopkins]

The femoral artery is the main supply of blood to the lower body. Damage to it often means a death sentence, as blood loss is so rapid, Justine could die in less than five minutes. They're in an isolated spot, three miles from the mainland. By all metrics, the situation is incredibly bleak.

[Justine Barwick]

I was acutely aware right from the moment I got out of the water that I was in massive trouble.

[John Hopkins]

Everyone jumps into action immediately. Craig applies pressure to her leg, grabbing a nearby towel and smothering the wound. Ben seizes other towels, which Craig twists around to secure the first. Lynn leaps across Justine to reach the first aid kit, zipping it open as she runs back. As a volunteer paramedic, she's well placed to give emergency help. She tears open the bandages and starts winding them tightly around the makeshift dressing. It's better than nothing, but for a wound this severe, it can only stem the flow for so long.

[Justine Barwick]

Craig, he had my legs elevated so he literally, he could not go anywhere. So it was Lynn who was running around getting bandages and coming to my head and talking to me probably every 30 seconds or every minute that she would be coming to me and talking to me and, you know, making sure that she could get a response from me.

[John Hopkins]

Michelle has grabbed the marine radio, making the mayday call to alert other boats nearby. It was in fact Justine and Craig who trained her how to use the radio when she was younger. Skills which could now mean the difference between life and death. Ben climbs into the cabin and calls 100 for the emergency services, giving as much detail as possible. It's all action around Justine as she lies there doing all she can to remain level headed.

[Justine Barwick]

I'd seen the hole in my leg and I knew that I couldn't do anything aside from stay calm, that panicking wasn't an option for me at that time, that I just literally had to stay calm to try and just keep my heart rate from rising because I knew from my first aid courses back in the day that if my heart rate rose that I was going to bleed out faster.

[John Hopkins]

She draws on whatever inner resources she can, even using methods she's learned in yoga over the last decade, concentrating on filling her belly deeply with breath and releasing it slowly to the count of five. But it can only do so much.

[Justine Barwick]

It was a very distinct feeling that I knew that I was very probably going to die. There was no panic that came with that for me. There was a sadness, but there was also an acceptance of it as well. I had some really rational thoughts. I started to think, well, we have a will so tick. That'll be fine, you know. At the time, Craig was only 52. And I thought, okay, this is young enough to find somebody else and be happy again. That's okay. The girls were in their early 20s and I thought, well, yep, that I've raised two really, really top chicks. Amazing young women. And they'll be sad, but they'll have great memories, so they'll be okay. Cause I know they're strong.

[John Hopkins]

Lynn moves closer and kneels by Justine's side. The two friends lock eyes as the darkness grows and the color seeps from Justine's face.

[Justine Barwick]

And I started to say to Lynn, I think I'm going to die. And she was very firm with me, me. And she told me I wasn't allowed to die. And her words were actually not on my watch, you're not. So I clearly wasn't even allowed to die.

[John Hopkins]

With her best friend and her husband close by, Justine clings on. Meanwhile, crews from other boats floating nearby in the harbor have heard the mayday call and are moving in. Soon a mini armada arrives, vessels of all shapes and sizes, haring towards the Topaz to offer additional supplies and aid.

[Justine Barwick]

We were very prepared sailors, but nobody's prepared for that. So some boats came in their tenders, in their little dinghies and bought bandages. And I remember bandage after bandage would come.

[John Hopkins]

About a kilometer away. Anchored in a separate part of the Whitsunday Islands, a silver haired bearded man stands on the edge of his yacht. This is Dr. John Haddock. He's considering a final swim of the day. One last opportunity to cool off before getting ready for dinner. He looks down into the swaying, serene waters and goes to jump when a small motorized dinghy suddenly appears with two sailors on board. They shout and wave their arms. They hurry to explain the situation to the doctor. A woman has been attacked by a shark. She's in desperate need of help. They couldn't have come across a better person in the circumstances. Instantly, John steps across into the dinghy and is carried back towards the Topaz. When John arrives at the yacht and clambers on board, he quickly takes in the scene. The floor of the cockpit is slippery with blood. Justine is pale and only semi conscious. It's now been 45 minutes since the attack. Her fingers and toes are mottled and drained of blood. The fact that she is still alive is already a monumental feat. John asks everyone to move aside and.

[Justine Barwick]

Then I remember him leaning down to me and introducing himself and saying, my name's John, I'm an ed doctor. And I felt him sort of poking around in my neck and I couldn't work out what he was doing, but I now know that he was looking for a pulse. My blood pressure was so low that I didn't have one.

[John Hopkins]

He assures her that he will do all he can to help. But the doctor doesn't mince his words.

[Justine Barwick]

I asked him if I was going to die and I remember his answer as clearly as if it was yesterday. He said to me, you're very badly injured and you are very unwell and it is possible that you may die. But the first aid is excellent and I couldn't have done better myself. So I think you've got a chance of survival. So we need to make a plan to get you out of here. And it sounds very strange to say that those words were very comforting because they validated those feelings that I had that I may die and those statements that he made that I had a chance of survival. So that's what I chose to hang onto. Foreign.

[John Hopkins]

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[Justine Barwick]

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[John Hopkins]

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[John Hopkins]

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[Justine Barwick]

The next step will be to get me into that helicopter. But then it just took ages. And so it became apparent to me, lying on the deck, that it was more complicated than I knew.

[John Hopkins]

Craig and John communicate with a rescue team over the radio, trying to hatch a plan. There is a beach nearby, but the incoming tide means the emergency crew cannot land there. The helicopter could fly overhead and lower crew members down onto the boat, but the various masts, ropes and wires of the yachts make this maneuver too intricate. And the likelihood is the aircraft's winch will become dangerously entangled. There's only one option, and it isn't a welcome one. Justine will need to be lowered into an inflatable dinghy and taken out into open water. From there, the helicopter should be able to reach her. But moving Justine in her state is easier said than done. They'll need to place her into a smaller, vulnerable vessel. With night descending and who knows what still lurking in the depths it's been more than an hour since the tiger shark attacked. It's impossible to know exactly how much blood Justine has lost or how much longer she has left. And now comes the most complex stage of her survival. The rescue helicopter is speeding her way. On board are a pilot, a flight paramedic and a crew officer. Fortunately, they weren't far from the Topaz when they got the call, carrying out a routine task nearby. But this means they're already low on fuel. There's no time to lose. Justine has to get to the open ocean.

[Justine Barwick]

With the mast and the boom and the spreaders and everything that's on a yacht. The helicopter can't get near that. It's not safe. Due to the conditions, the helicopter couldn't land on the beach, so that wasn't an option. So the option that they landed on was that I was transferred to the dinghy.

[John Hopkins]

The bright yellow dinghy is attached to the stern of the yacht, normally reserved for leisure trips to the shore. It's all hands to the pump as Team Justine gets to work quickly. The seats are removed from the dinghy to make more space. At the same time, Linh pulls over one of the cockpit's long seat cushions to use as a makeshift stretcher. They need to keep Justine flat when they move her. Lynn holds her friend's head steady and instructs the group to surround her, spreading the weight between them. She tells Justine to just keep breathing. Craig continues to keep his wife's legs elevated and on a count of three, they all transfer her in one move across to the stretcher, then raise her up and over the stern, easing her down onto the tender.

[Justine Barwick]

Some bystanders actually helped John, Craig, Ben, Michelle and Lynn lift me into the dinghy because that had to be obviously done very carefully as to not move that huge dressing that was effectively stemming the blood FL.

[John Hopkins]

As the surface of the sea heaves. Lyn holds her breath as they stow Justine in the dinghy. It's agreed only Craig and John will journey out with her. Tears start to well as Lyn lets her friend go. There is nothing more she can do. The sun is disappearing beyond the horizon as Craig takes to the helm and chugs the dinghy away from the yacht. John keeps monitoring Justine as Craig weaves between the other boats towards clear, open water. In the distance, the sound of rapid rotor blades begins to reverberate across the waves. Closer and closer, the two crafts move through the intense downdraft of the chopper. Craig guides the little dinghy with focus and skill.

[Justine Barwick]

For Craig to be positioning a tiny dinghy underneath. The downforce of that helicopter was just incredible presence of mind, given the situation, and just great boatsmanship skills as well. I remember the force of the helicopter and I remember it was like being in a storm.

[John Hopkins]

Now, directly beneath the helicopter, the inflatable vessel is buffeted like a feather in a hurricane spray and salt water crash onto the dinghy.

[Justine Barwick]

John was reminding me to breathe because that was actually quite tough to remember to breathe. And so every time I had to breathe out, I'd have to blow the sea water out because waves would have got into my mouth when I was breathing.

[John Hopkins]

The helicopter is struggling to get close enough. Each time it moves near, the waves churn harder, forcing the dinghy further away. The pilot pulls back again, but the fuel is running lower and lower. The crew have a big call to make. To get to Justine, somebody will have to brave the waters. One of the rescue workers named Ben steps up.

[Justine Barwick]

Ben from the rescue helicopter had to make a decision. Basically, it's now or never, and this is as good as it's going to get. And so he then dropped into the water where I'd, you know, a couple of hours ago, been bitten by a shark, which is just incredible bravery.

[John Hopkins]

Ben bullets into the water. With a gasp, he resurfaces, getting his bearings and swimming towards the dinghy. He reaches the crafts and bundles himself on board, rescue harness at the ready. Instantly, he begins work to winch Justine up to the helicopter.

[Justine Barwick]

Because the helicopter, in fact, had been diverted from another mission. They hadn't, in fact, been tasked for a shark attack at all. They didn't have the appropriate harness that I should have gone up in, like to keep me horizontal with that femoral artery sever. And I remember John being very concerned about that. They got me into a harness and I was strapped to Ben, but unfortunately my legs were dangling down and John was very concerned that I might not have made the winch up into the helicopter.

[John Hopkins]

Justine beckons Craig to come close, whispering something to her husband. Neither knows if they'll be the last words they speak to each other. Then the winch pulls taut and she's raised with Ben towards the dazzling lights above.

[Justine Barwick]

I remember arriving in the helicopter and the paramedic making his assessment of the situation. But things do start to get quite tough for me at that point, just through lack of blood. My blood pressure was unrecordable. So I was. I was in a world of pain then. And that's actually my first memory of actual pain.

[John Hopkins]

It has taken 45 minutes to complete the retrieval and it's been two hours since the attack. Justine has lost pints of blood. It needs to be replenished immediately. But they don't have enough fuel to reach the closest hospital. So the crew radio ahead for blood to be delivered to the nearest refueling station. They just have to hope that will buy her enough time. What happens next is foggy. A dreamlike flash of different pictures and sensations. After refueling, Justine is airlifted again to Mackay Base Hospital which has a large resuscitation team awaiting her. Her chances of survival are put at just 20%.

[Justine Barwick]

I was taken to surgery where they did an operation called fasciotomies, which is basically where they release toxic blood that would have been trapped in the lower part of my limb so that once they repaired my femoral artery that that wasn't returned to my body because that would do damage and make me unwell or kill me.

[John Hopkins]

It takes hours of painstaking, intricate work from surgeons. Throughout, Justine is teetering right on the edge.

[Justine Barwick]

I've got a large scale where they took a large piece of vein from my left leg that they used to give me a new femoral artery on my right leg. The size of the bite, it's enormous. It's from just below my groin to just above my knee. And then they basically stabilized me. They put me into icu. They kept me asleep this whole time. And I think it was around 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning that Craig and Lyne and Michelle and Ben were allowed to see me at icu.

[John Hopkins]

After the initial life saving operation, she is transported again to the Royal Brisbane Hospital for 18 more hours of reconstructive surgery to save her leg. Nerve grafts are carried out. Muscle and skin are taken from her belly and used to recreate the area of her thigh that was bitten away. Justine is kept unconscious for several days.

[Justine Barwick]

ICU is a really confronting place and it's certainly a really scary environment. And then they started to raise my level of awareness and that was quite a difficult process of waking up. I wasn't strong enough to breathe for myself, so I was still intubated, which meant that I couldn't talk at all. So I couldn't tell anybody that I was scared or that I was worried about anything. And that, I have to say, was probably the scariest part of the whole episode is being so isolated, being intubated, being scared. It was really great to see, to see my family, even if I couldn't talk to them. It just made me feel much safer.

[John Hopkins]

After several days of recuperation, Justine is keen to get out of bed. The medics don't want to rush things, but eventually they relent.

[Justine Barwick]

It was that day that I knew how much rehab I'd have in my future because certainly my leg, yes, it was reconstructed but it was weak and you know, the muscles needed to be trained to allow me to walk. I can't feel my right leg so the physios needed to teach me how to walk on this leg that I can't feel. And also the nerve damage from the attack means I have a drop foot so I can't lift up to sort of swing that right leg through. So I've had to learn to walk with an aide to lift up that foot. So there is so much to everything that we do in everyday life that when you've got to rebuild, it's actually a really tough thing to do. And rehab continues. You know, tomorrow I've got a session. I had one on Monday, I've got another one on Friday. It's my life now. But that is also my key to walking and it's my key to enjoying life. Is it fair? No. But is life always so good? Yes. I like to think of it as just it's my normal now. The Jack Welch Management Institute at Strayer University helps you go from I know.

[John Hopkins]

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[Justine Barwick]

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[John Hopkins]

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[Justine Barwick]

Are you still quoting 30 year old movies?

[John Hopkins]

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[Justine Barwick]

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[John Hopkins]

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[Justine Barwick]

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[John Hopkins]

February 2024 Nielsen report, previously, Sid Harbour had been free of any known shark attacks and as a result there were no warning signs in place. But within just 24 hours of Justine's ordeal, emergency crews are called following a second shark attack in the vicinity, this time on a 12 year old girl. She thankfully survives but requires an amputation. Less than two months after that, another attack claims the life of a 32 year old doctor from Melbourne. The spate of incidents leads to calls for interventions. Baited drum lines are laid which catch and kill six sharks. But these are controversial and not seen as a long term solution. Signs are installed warning people not to swim in the area. A research project is carried out and education programs are run on shark safety. Today, a tourist website advertising Sid harbor states there is no swimming here at any time. As for Justine, I don't think it's.

[Justine Barwick]

Possible to come through this without an element of ptsd. I see a great psychologist a few times a year. I think the work that we have done together is a big part of me being the best human that I can be and accepting my life as a person living with disability and accepting the traumatic experience. I really, I have no anger about this. And occasionally I could be like, ugh, it's not fair. But that's not anger. You know, I. I have no anger about the shark being in the water. It was just unlucky and I was unlucky.

[John Hopkins]

A year after the incident, she returns to the Whitsundays to meet the team that rescued her.

[Justine Barwick]

I started to wonder if I could ever go sailing again. I also was asking questions about what happened on the day, and I just really wanted to help my brain to understand exactly what had happened. I had questions for the paramedic from the helicopter, I had questions for the helicopter pilot, I had questions for the crew, and I had questions for John. And Craig said, well, let's go, let's just, let's go and just meet them. And Jean and his beautiful wife Janice said, yeah, stay with us. Yeah, come and stay at our place. So we went and we had a few days sailing. So, yeah, I think healing was behind the trip and, yeah, giving my brain some, some more pieces of the puzzle.

[John Hopkins]

Justine speaks highly of all the rescuers, doctors and strangers who helped her that day. But she also praises her own crew, the friends and family that saved her and continue to support her.

[Justine Barwick]

Today, people only see the inspiring side of trauma, but there's a gnarly, gritty, horrible side of it as well. And both of those sides are necessary. Necessary. So to have a crew around you who accept that gnarly side as well, that's been really gold. The biggest thing that I have learned is that I underestimated myself my whole life. For some reason, I had to wait until I had a shark hanging off my inner thigh before I knew that I was actually strong. And so I've learned that I'm capable of a lot more than what I gave myself credit for on one of the anniversaries of the shark attack, I was having a meeting with somebody. She said, I bet you wish that you could go back and not dive in the water that day. I said, no, I actually don't, because I never want to be the girl who doesn't dive in the water. I never want to be the girl who is too scared to do anything, you know, because the chances of me on that day in that location, in those conditions being bitten by a shark were absolutely minuscule. And if we let fear paralyze us, you know, then what does life look like? If a medical professional looked at it on paper, they would say this person should not have survived. So, yeah, I like to think mine is a story of gratitude and determination.

[John Hopkins]

Next time On Real Survival Stories, we meet British caver Dick Willis. In 1977, he joins an expedition to the deepest known cave in the world. But while Dick and his friends Andy and Paul are thousands of feet underground, an electrical storm breaks out above, sending torrents of water cascading into the caves. As the water level rises, the race to escape is on. That's next time on REAL SURVIVAL stories. Listen to Dick's story today without waiting a week. By subscribing to Noiser plus, your data.

[Justine Barwick]

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[John Hopkins]

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