A shark attack survivor has recalled the terrifying moment she thought she would die as she slipped in and out of consciousness. 

Mangyon Zhang, 57, was swimming laps just metres from shore at Gunyah Beach at Bundeena in Sydney’s south on March 7 when her life changed in an instant.

She had no idea the danger lurking underneath until she felt something brush past her.

She didn’t see the bull shark or feel it latch onto her right leg but immediately knew she’d been bitten due to the amount of blood in the water. 

‘I knew something stinged me and then there’s like a very eerie feeling,’ Ms Zhang told 60 Minutes.

‘I was frozen for a minute. I was so scared. I was like, ‘what was that?’

‘And then I just saw lots of blood coming out and the water just became too red.

‘I was freaking out because I was scared the shark would come back. I thought I would be dead.’

Mangyon Zhang (pictured) fought back tears as she recalled slipping in and out of consciousness after she was was bitten by a bull shark

Ms Zhang shared an emotional reunion with Blake Donaldson, who raced into the water and saved her life (pictured)

It’s unlikely she would be still alive today if it wasn’t for Blake Donaldson and his partner Ellen Melchert, who were the only other people on the secluded beach at the the time and heard Ms Zhang’s frantic screams for help.

A quick thinking Mr Donaldson raced into the water with his paddleboard without hesitation or any thoughts for the shark and his own safety.

‘The fight or flight kicks in and I just made a decision,’ he said. 

‘It’s either you just watch someone drown or you go out and help them … a couple seconds could mean someone’s life.’

By the time he reached Ms Zhang, she was already extremely weak due to the loss of blood and struggled to hold onto the paddleboard.

‘I didn’t have the strength to do anything anymore,’ she said.

Ms Zhang recalled the terrifying moment she felt her ‘eyes wanting to close’ as she slipped in and out of consciousness when the pair returned to shore.

But she was determined to stay awake to see her partner Maria Masutti one last time as Mr Donaldson’s partner tried to stem the bleeding.

Mangyon Zhang (pictured recovering in hospital) believed she was going to die during the terrifying ordeal

Ms Zhang (pictured) was determined to stay awake to see her partner Maria Masutti ‘one last time’

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‘I was scared that I go to sleep I won’t wake up,’  Ms Zhang recalled as she fought back tears.

‘I think I probably will die, but I said to myself,’ I wanted to let Maria know.’

‘I don’t know if I would make it, but I wanted to see if I can see her last time.’

Despite her condition rapidly deteriotating, Ms Zhang can still remember the couple and emergency responders trying to save her life.

‘All I could see was colours ,’ she said.

‘I think I heard people say, ‘She doesn’t have any pulse.’

‘I can’t move. I can’t even think. I can’t breathe.

‘I don’t feel any oxygen coming into my lungs.’

The loss of blood was so catastrophic that a doctor was airlifted in with more to save Ms Zhang’s life.

‘It was like a movie,’ she recalled.

‘But I wasn’t frightened anymore. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.’ 

 Ms Zhang was airlifted to St George Hospital, where she underwent multiple surgeries.

She recalled her shock that she was still alive when she woke up the next morning.

Doctors also managed to save Ms Zhang’s leg, thanks to the heroic efforts of Mr Donaldson and Ms Melchert.

Ms Zhang did not feel the shark bite her leg (pictured)

Ms Zhang has since met with the two strangers who saved her life, along with the paramedics.

‘Words cannot express how thankful I am,’ she told the couple during the emotional reunion.

‘You’re my lifesaver and hero!’

Ms Melchert replied: ‘We’re just so glad you’re alright.’

The life-threatening ordeal has changed Ms Zhang’s perspective on life.

‘It’s unlucky this happened, but it’s lucky I have all these people there to support me,’ she said.

 ‘Most importantly, I feel lucky I still have my leg.