A GoFundMe page has been set-up to help the family of the man attacked by a shark off north Queensland yesterday, whose partner is pregnant with their third child.
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Glenn Dickson, 25, was mauled shortly after entering the water near Hinchinbrook Island to go spear fishing on Saturday morning.
He received multiple bites to his leg and remains in critical but stable condition in Cairns Hospital.
Mr Dickson has two children with partner Jessie Lee and a third due in June. He is a keen fisherman and mixed martial arts fighter.
The fundraising page launched on Saturday night generated $7000 in the first 14 hours, with all proceeds to support the victim's family.
"Glenn has a long battle ahead with his recovery after a shark bite to his leg," the GoFundMe campaign description reads.
"Whilst Glenn recovers (which will not be an easy road ahead) the bills still come flowing in - rent/car payments/insurances/food & fuel etc as well as the addition of Glenn and Jessie Lee's third bundle of joy in June."
"To be able to take this burden off of this wonderful family would help in some ways, ease the pain of watching the man they love tackle the biggest emotional and physical hurdle of his life."
The Queensland Ambulance Service said on Saturday Mr Dickson owed his life to quick-thinking friends who applied a tourniquet to his mauled leg.
Three friends dragged the injured man from the water onto a boat after he was attacked by the shark moments after diving into the water to go spearfishing.
One of the friends, who had previous experience in the military, applied vital first aid before the victim was flown to Cairns Hospital in a critical but stable condition.
Martin Taylor from the Queensland Ambulance Service said the victim owed his life to the friend's quick actions.
"The initial actions by three friends have definitely saved his life because he was losing so much blood," he said.
QAS Cairns senior operations supervisor Neil Noble said the patient was awake and talking heading into emergency surgery in hospital.
"Miraculously he may have a very positive outcome," Mr Noble said.
Mr Dickson was attacked by what is believed to be a tiger or bull shark, according to reports from the scene.
After being dragged from the water by friends he was rushed to the Port Hinchinbrook boat ramp on the boat where he was met and stabilised by paramedics.
A rescue helicopter arrived just before midday and it is understood the victim had lost a significant amount of blood, with the worst of the injuries limited to just one leg.
