In a shocking turn of events, a day of fun at the beach turned into a nightmare for Tabatha Sullivent on South Padre Island. A video captured the terrifying moment when Sullivent was pulled from the water with a portion of her leg missing, while the shark responsible for the attack circled nearby. "I can't believe I was actually attacked by a shark. It's surreal," Sullivent expressed to NBC News.

Sullivent, a resident of Celina, Texas, was among four individuals who encountered the same 6-foot-long shark on July 4th. Recounting the incident, she revealed, "I initially thought it was a big fish and tried to kick it away. But then it bit me. If I hadn't lifted my legs, it could have gone after my torso or something worse."

Fortunately, Sullivent's husband, Cary Sullivent, came to her rescue and fought off the shark. Though he also suffered bites, he has since been released from medical care. "That shark was lurking in water no more than waist-deep," said Kyle Jud, another beachgoer from North Texas, who witnessed the harrowing ordeal and rushed to help.

As Sullivent was being attended to by bystanders, the shark ominously circled in close proximity. Jud marveled at the bravery and swift response of first responders. "We could all clearly see the shark with its tail and dorsal fin sticking out of the water, just circling around as Tabatha was being taken away," he recounted.

Grateful for the support she has received, Sullivent credits her husband for saving her life, saying, "He fought off a shark on my behalf. That's truly remarkable." Meanwhile, she patiently awaits her road to recovery, uncertain of the duration it will take. "I'm thankful to be alive and grateful for the overwhelming support," Sullivent expressed from her hospital bed.

Officials have revealed that Thursday's shark attacks marked the first such incidents in the South Padre Island area in the past five years. The incident serves as a reminder to beachgoers to remain vigilant and cautious when enjoying the ocean's waters.

As authorities continue to investigate the incident, the community comes together in support of Tabatha Sullivent and her courageous fight against adversity.