Teen Aussie surf champion collapses in screaming agony during shopping trip - kicking off life-or-death battle that almost saw her foot amputated

Teenage Australian surfer Olivia Ottaway has revealed the horror of facing a life-or-death struggle after a small cut led to a severe infection that almost claimed her career and her leg. 

Last August, Olivia was surfing at Teahupo'o in French Polynesia, with the break to host the 2024 Olympic surfing events next month. 

During her stay, she unknowingly nicked the sharp coral reef, which resulted in a bone infection. This seemingly minor injury quickly escalated into a nightmare.

Upon returning to Australia, Olivia's condition deteriorated rapidly. She collapsed during a shopping trip with her family, prompting her parents to rush her to the nearest hospital. 

Olivia told News Corp, 'I was fine and then legit a couple of hours after I landed back home in Sydney, I went for a swim in the hotel pool and my skin was just feeling so irritated.'

Doctors soon discovered that Olivia had a serious infection, which caused intense pain and a high fever. 

They feared she might develop septicemia, a life-threatening condition where the infection spreads to the blood. The situation was so critical that at one point, amputating her foot was considered.

While in hospital, Olivia endured excruciating pain and numerous treatments.

'I was in so much pain. I was out. Completely out,' she said. 

Her parents Kristel and Luke Ottaway were terrified. 

'I said to the doctor, "How bad is this? What are we looking at?" She said, "Well, I'm a bit of a pessimist but this could be really, really, really bad". As in, she could go [die],' Kristel recalled.

Despite the severity of her condition, Olivia's determination never wavered. Slowly, she began to recover, marking significant milestones along the way. 

Her first big break came when she managed to get into a wheelchair and go outside for the first time in weeks. 

'That meant the most to me, to get outside. Listening to the birds,' she said.

Back at home, Olivia continued her recovery with the support of her family and friends. 

Messages from surfing champions like Stephanie Gilmore provided much-needed morale boosts. 

Gilmore said, 'I know you're going to get through this and we're going to see you back in the surf very soon. I can't wait to see you back in Tahiti charging again, you're an awesome surfer.'

Olivia's progress was remarkable. Just eight months after her hospitalisation, she competed in a junior surfing event, the Barney Miller Surf Classic. 

'I went alright. I'm proud of myself. Semi-finalist is pretty good for me. I didn't know I was going to do that well in my first comp,' Olivia said.

Although she still faces challenges, such as a limp and reduced muscle strength, Olivia's spirit remains unbroken. 

Her goal is to return to Teahupo'o and continue her surfing career. 

Olivia's journey is captured in an award-winning photograph by Ryan Pierse, now displayed in her hometown of Crescent Head. The image serves as a testament to her resilience and determination.

Reflecting on her ordeal, Olivia feels a sense of gratitude for the experience, believing it has made her stronger. 

'I kind of feel like, I'm kind of happy it all happened in a way. Not happy I guess, I still wish I was all 100 percent, but that's life,' she said.