Rockaway shark bite victim on long road to recovery — as NYC beach season opens

Dean Balsamini
·2 min read
NYC shark bite
NYC shark bite

A shark-attack survivor recently celebrated her 66th birthday and continues to heal after a maneater took a chunk out of her thigh last summer at Rockaway Beach — the first attack there in 70 years.

Tatyana Koltunuk, of Astoria, still has a long road ahead as beach season opened Saturday.

Her daughter, Dasha (Darya) Koltunyuk, celebrated her mother’s April 4 birthday and indomitable human spirit in an “update” post to a GoFundMe page.

Tatyana Koltunuk was swimming alone near Beach 59th Street on Aug. 7 when a shark — possibly a bull, thresher or great white –chomped down on her. AP
Tatyana Koltunuk was swimming alone near Beach 59th Street on Aug. 7 when a shark — possibly a bull, thresher or great white –chomped down on her. AP
Koltunyuk has undergone multiple surgeries following the attack. NY Post
Koltunyuk has undergone multiple surgeries following the attack. NY Post

“We are so happy to share in this day with you . . . a birthday that feels all the more magical this year in its celebration of a renewed sense of life-force, of an awe for nature, and of the pure strength and goodness of the woman I am so honored to call my mom,” Dasha wrote. “Today especially I keep thinking about the wonder with which she talks about surviving last summer, her reverence for the world around us — and I join her in that feeling all the more.”

Dasha included a photo of a sidewalk flower bed her mom sent her of “that to her looked like a chocolate cake with frosting — always ready to find unexpected beauty and to celebrate it!”

The GoFundMe has raised $103,000 of a stated $125,000 goal — and has provided “aquatherapy visits, orthotics, transportation, and more,” the daughter noted. “Our family is deeply grateful.”

Koltunyuk’s daughter said it was a miracle that her mother survived the attack. Wayne Carrington
Koltunyuk’s daughter said it was a miracle that her mother survived the attack. Wayne Carrington
Koltunkyk lost about 20 pounds of flesh in the shark attack — the first one in Rockaway Beach in 70 years. Joanna Steidle via Storyful
Koltunkyk lost about 20 pounds of flesh in the shark attack — the first one in Rockaway Beach in 70 years. Joanna Steidle via Storyful

Koltunyuk, a former marine engineer originally from Ukraine, was swimming alone near Beach 59th Street at around 6 p.m. on Aug. 7 when the predator — possibly a bull or thresher shark or great white — chomped down on her.

“The fact that she’s alive is a miracle,” the dutiful daughter said at the time.