A Californian mum-of-three has described how she was forced to fight for her life after being attacked by a 10ft Great White shark
Leanne Ericson underwent eight operations and had to learn to walk again after a chunk of her leg was torn out.
She spoke about the harrowing experience for the first time in an exclusive interview with 'Good Morning America'.
Watch what she had to say here:
Advert
Credit: ABC
The 35-year-old was left missing 'all of the back of her leg' but survived by scratching at its eyes and creating a tourniquet out of a surfboard leash.
Advert
She required nine weeks in the Intensive Care Unit, and eight surgeries following the incident.
Yesterday she told how she was swimming close to the edge of the shore when she was attacked.
She told Surfline that as she swam near Dusty's board she suddenly felt something bite her leg and pull her down under the water.
"As soon as it grabbed my leg, I knew what it was," she said.
Credit: ABC
"I remember being pulled down and thinking about my kids. My brain shut off and went into fight or flight mode."
Advert
She told Good Morning America: "My only concern was my breathing. I couldn't breathe."
Dusty heard the screams behind him - but when he turned around his girlfriend had vanished under the water.
He said: "As I was paddling, I heard the scream.
"It was a piercing scream I'd never heard. And it disappeared, mid-scream.
Advert
"I turned around as quick as I could and there wasn't even a ripple."
A truly harrowing story.
It comes after we reported how a shark jumped onto a fishing boat causing havoc.
Credit: Newsflare
Advert
Filmed off the coast of Long Island in New York fishermen were caught off guard when the Mako leaped from the water onto the deck of their vessel.
The beast got trapped beneath the guard rail at the bow of the boat, under which it squirmed in an attempt to set itself free.
Thankfully, the shark's mouth is covered in its own blood, rather than that of an innocent angler, as it chomped down on the rail repeatedly to try and make an escape route. Still, very frightening.
Featured Image Credit: ABC Topics: Great White, Fight, shark attack