New Zealand Influencer Henry Gibbs Survives Fiji Shark Attack, Completes Four Surgeries
New Zealand content creator Henry Gibbs was spearfishing off the coast of Fiji on 18 July when a grey reef shark lunged at him, biting the back of his right calf. Gibbs captured the attack on his own camera, showing the shark’s sudden approach and the “death‑roll” that threatened to sever his leg.
Fellow divers Colby and Dan pulled Gibbs from the water, administered first aid and rushed him to a hospital. He underwent four surgeries and a skin‑graft to repair the wound. Doctors say he has retained full use of his foot and is expected to make a complete recovery.
Gibbs posted on Instagram expressing gratitude for surviving the incident, noting that he was “in the shark’s environment hunting its food” and that noise from the spearguns and boat activity may have provoked the animal. He advises divers to watch for erratic shark behaviour, to abandon dives when sharks become agitated, and to wear plain black wetsuits in tropical waters. Despite the trauma, he says he bears “no hard feelings” toward the shark.
Entities: Colby · Colby and Dan · Dan · Fiji · Grey reef shark · Henry Gibbs · New Zealand · Spearfishing · grey reef shark
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 7 SOURCES] Gibbs filmed the attack and the video spread on social media. (multiple)
- [● 7 SOURCES] Gibbs required four surgeries and a skin graft. (multiple)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Gibbs urged divers to abort a dive if a shark’s behavior changes and to wear plain black wetsuits. (multiple)
- [● 7 SOURCES] The shark bit the back of Gibbs’s right calf and performed a death roll. (multiple)
- [● 7 SOURCES] Henry Gibbs was attacked by a grey reef shark while spearfishing in Fiji on July 18, 2026. (multiple)
- [● 7 SOURCES] Fellow divers Colby and Dan rescued Gibbs from the water and provided first aid. (multiple)
- [● 7 SOURCES] Doctors expect Gibbs to retain full use of his foot and make a full recovery. (multiple)