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SYDNEY (AFP) – A French surfer survived a shark attack in Australia with minor leg injuries by hitting him twice, local media reported.
Dylan Nacass, 23, was surfing at Bells Beach, about 1.5 hours south of Melbourne, when the shark attacked on Friday (May 8), Nine News said.
Video footage shows a shark swimming behind two men as they desperately row to escape.
Nacass told Nine that the shark caught on his leg until it hit him twice and he was released from its jaws.
“I hit it once, it stays on my legs. Twice, then it goes away,” he said.
Local man Matt Sedunary rushed to the Frenchman’s aid after realizing he was distressed.
“He started yelling, I honestly thought he was joking with his friends,” he told Nine, adding that “he wasn’t going to leave him.”
“Most people would do the same.”
The incident was captured by Australian man Graham Blade, who was filming from a nearby vantage point on the world famous surf break.
“In fact, I saw him appear behind him and I knew he was real,” Blade told Nine.
Nacass walked away with only puncture wounds to his right leg that required stitches.
Australia has one of the world’s largest incidences of shark attacks, but deaths are rare.
There were 27 murders but there were no fatalities in Australia last year, according to data from the Sydney Taronga Zoo.
Despite his ordeal, Nacass said he was eager to return to the water once his wounds have healed.
“I really want to go back soon,” he said. “Just when my leg is fine. I’m going to surf again soon.”
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