Photos show surfer's close call with shark
A WA surfer says he did not realise how close a shark came to him in the waves off Esperance until he saw several striking photographs of the encounter that have been widely viewed on social media.
Andrew Johnston told ABC Goldfields-Esperance that when he saw the images by Fritz Debruyn this week, the danger was apparent.
Heart-stopping moment - These pictures show a surfer in Western Australia being stalked by a shark. #Today9 pic.twitter.com/Ay2CPVu98j
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) October 31, 2014
"At the time I didn't think it was that big a shark and that close, but I did lose sight of it when it came right up behind me," he said.
"It was a lot more intense than I thought it was at the time; obviously it was a very close call.
"I was very lucky; you don't get much closer than that without getting touched up by them."
Read more on the ABC.
