KAI McKenzie’s brutal encounter with a great white shark cost him his leg but clearly not his sense of humour or fighting spirit.

Surrounded by his “crew” in Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital on Monday, the 23-year-old from Bonny Hills posted on social media, “Spot something missing? Hahah”.

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“So good to have so many amazing people behind me, I really appreciate it, love this crew so much.”

Cheeky and definitely “expressive”, Kai’s posts have gone global.

Surf stars like Steph Gilmore have shown their support while the joke about his leg has been covered by the BBC, CNN, Tracks Magazine and every surfing site in between.

A closer look at the bottom left of the accompanying photo confirms that doctors were unable to reattach his right leg. It was bitten off by what Kai describes as “the biggest shark I’ve ever seen” during a mid-morning attack off Port Macquarie’s North Shore Beach on Tuesday, 23 July.

Kai fought off the three metre shark and managed to paddle to shore where he was saved by a retired policeman called “Steve” who used a dog’s lead as a tourniquet to stem the bleeding.

While his leg washed ashore and was taken with him to hospital, it could not be saved.

Despite his critical injuries and likely lengthy recovery and rehabilitation, Kai’s plucky social media posts are testament to a young man determined to get back in the water.

Each one is filled with love and gratitude for those surrounding him and for the community that has pitched in to help cover his medical bills via a GoFundMe page set up by his neighbour.

“Kai, along with his parents Jane and Grant, have expressed their appreciation for all of the donations and are extremely grateful for all the support that the community has given for Kai,” writes organiser Loz Mac.

“Kai has an absolute fighting spirit and has outlined that he intends on returning to the water in no time.”

In a message shared last Saturday, Kai said that being able to hold his girlfriend “my beautiful Eve” and his family, “is everything”.

“To all you… kind-hearted people, all you legends, to anyone and everyone, all your support has meant the absolute world to me.

“It’s so cool to see so many beautiful people support me.

“There are so many messages to get back to but I wanted to say a massive thanks to everyone for your generous donations on the GoFundMe page.

“We are so very grateful for everything.

“I can tell you now, if you know my personality, this means *f… all. I’ll be back in that water in no time.

“BIG *F…OFF TO THAT SHARK and BIG THANKS to Steve for saving my life.”

Kai’s messages and details of the GoFundMe account can be found on Instagram @kai_mckenzie.

By Sue STEPHENSON