On Tuesday, reports filtered in from South Australia that a man had been attacked by a shark while surfing a spot called The Sewer on Kangaroo Island.
Details were scarce. The man in his 50s was unidentified. His injuries were allegedly severe, but not much specifics were available. The species of shark was believed to be a bronze whaler. There was also a seal in the water, at the time, and it was believed that the pinniped had used the surfer as something like a human shield against an attack.
Now, footage of Lee Berryman’s encounter has been released. And while he’s still in hospital for treatment, he’s telling his shark tale. See below.
“It was a pretty scary moment,” Berryman said. “As soon as I felt something on the back of my leg, I knew it was a shark. I turned around and his nose was right near me. I actually didn’t want to punch him in the mouth. I was getting him in the side. I didn’t want to go anywhere near those teeth. I yelled out ‘shark!’ in a terrible voice, and just kept punching until he let go.”
By the sounds of it, Berryman’s fisticuffs are what saved him. He just kept hitting the shark in the sides, until finally, the beast released him.
Related: Surfer Attacked TWICE by Shark, Drives Himself to Hospital
“I was giving it everything I got,” Berryman continued. “He was still having his little chomp, but he eventually let go. He actually started chasing a seal that was close by, which I never even knew was there.”
According to some shark experts, this might’ve been a case of mistaken identity. Possibly, the shark had intended to go for the seal, but got Berryman instead.
As for what’s next for Berryman, post shark attack survival, he added:
“I look at life in a new way. I will go back in the water, but not there. I’ll be looking around.”
Related: ‘Face the Shark!’: Kelly Slater Shares Surprising Survival Tip