One witness said that the back of her leg was missing.
Thomas Williams, who had recently passed his EMT training test, jumped in to help the woman.
"If she didn't receive immediate care, it was life-threatening," Williams told The Orange County Register.
Rescuers used a rubber surfboard leash to stop the bleeding as they waited for emergency responders to arrive, The AP reported.
The woman was flown to an area hospital. Her condition has not been released.
>> Related: 17-year-old surfer dies after shark attack not far from shore
There had been several shark sightings in the area recently. Shark experts believe it was caused by either a great white or a seven-gill shark, The AP reported.
In Other News
1
WATCH: The ‘buzziest’ Super Bowl ads that have been released so far
2
Punxsutawney Phil predicts an early spring at Groundhog Day festivities
3
Emmy Awards air tonight: What you’ll see — and why it all has taken so...
4
Reborn Ringling Bros. circus coming to Ohio to leap on tour — minus...
5
It’s a snow day: Here’s how to watch the 2022 Oscar-nominated films...
About the Author