Moment terrified influencer is mauled and seriously injured by a shark in lightning attack while snorkelling in Fiji

By SOPHIA STANFORD, NEWS REPORTER Published: 11:35, 27 July 2026 | Updated: 11:54, 27 July 2026 This is the terrifying moment an influencer was attacked by a shark while snorkelling in Fiji - and nearly lost his leg.  Henry Gibbs, a fishing content creator, is said to be 'incredibly lucky' after surviving the horrific encounter with a grey reef shark. The New Zealander captured the vicious incident on July 18 on camera of the shark darting towards the panicked influencer while spear fishing on one of his first dives in Fiji. Fellow divers quickly pulled Mr Gibbs out of the water and dealt with the wound before rushing him to hospital. The attack left Mr Gibbs requiring four surgeries and a skin graft on his right leg. Fortunately, his leg is still intact and he still has full use of his foot. Despite the horrific attack, the influencer has 'no hard feelings' towards the shark - admitting that he was 'in its environment hunting its food'. Mr Gibbs added he still does not understand what spooked the animal so much to make it attack him. Henry Gibbs, a fishing content creator, is said to be 'incredibly lucky' after surviving the horrific encounter with a grey reef shark The New Zealander captured the vicious moment of the shark darting towards the panicked influencer while spear fishing on one of his first dives in Fiji Henry said: 'It's possible the commotion from the boat, the sounds of our spearguns, and the activity in the water gradually made this shark more interested or excited. 'I'll never know exactly what caused the change, but eventually it started making tight semicircles beneath us, became increasingly agitated and even sprinted at the boat.' Following the announcement of the attack on 24 July, footage was shared of the run-in with the shark to his 113,000 followers online.  Mr Gibbs said: 'First dive in Fiji ended in a pretty nasty shark incident. 'Feeling incredibly lucky to still have my leg, full use of my foot and to be on the mend. 'Four surgeries and a skin graft later it's looking like I'll make a full recovery, which I'm hugely grateful for. 'No hard feelings towards the shark. I was in its environment hunting its food. 'For now, just feeling very lucky and with an even greater appreciation for life. Despite the horrific attack, the influencer has 'no hard feelings' towards the shark - admitting that he was 'in its environment hunting its food' 'Looking back, that should've been enough of a sign to call the dive. I never thought a shark of that size posed much of a threat, and that was a mistake.' Henry also shared tips to follow when in the water with a shark. 'If a shark's behaviour starts to change, end the dive and move on. 'Stick to plain black wetsuits in the tropics. I've since heard of several grey reef shark incidents involving divers wearing camouflage wetsuits. 'If a shark becomes agitated, erratic or increasingly aggressive, don't ignore it. 'Don't judge the risk by the shark's size.'