Whitsundays shark attack victim released from hospital

A mother from Tasmania has been released from a Brisbane hospital just weeks after a shark attack that almost killed her.

Justine Barwick, 46, was rushed to Brisbane for specialist care after being bitten while snorkelling in the Whitsundays two weeks ago.

She underwent 18 hours of emergency surgery to save her leg and has since endured hours of daily physiotherapy.

As she was helped into an awaiting wheelchair after leaving hospital, the mother-of-two expressed her thanks to her rescuers.

“Thank you to everybody who’s assisted me,” she said, her voice still weak from surgery.

Ms Barwick has made remarkable progress since the horror of her attack – in just the last five days she has managed to take small steps with the help of a walking frame.

“She had severe life-threatening injuries and extreme state of shock when I arrived,” witness Dr John Hadock told 9NEWS.

She has flown home to Tasmania where she will receive ongoing treatment, including the potential of more surgery at Royal Hobart Hospital.