California Great White Shark Attack - A 50-year-old survived after he was bitten and dragged underwater by a Great White Shark while surfing with friends off the coast of California.
Reports indicate that the incident happened on Sunday shortly after 11 a.m. at Montana de Oro State Park.
Kevin Swanson, a resident of Morro Bay, was on his board, when the 8 to 10-foot adolescent shark swam from underneath him and bit his hip before dragging him underwater.
According to local reports, Swanson's friends were spooked - more so when he resurfaced from the water seconds later screaming "Shark Attack" and began paddling back to the shore at an incredible pace.
"It was really radical. I was about 10 feet from him, and it was absolutely quite...(The shark) came straight up out of the depths and got him and took him under the water. That was the amazing part: this big giant side of the shark just curving up out of the water," said Andrew Walsh, Swanson's friend who witnessed the freakish incident.
Reports say after they arrived at the shore, Swanson was lucky as there were two doctors on the beach, who rushed and offered first aid while others dialed 9-1-1.
"We're really blessed that he was still able to get himself to shore," Walsh said. "I was a few feet behind him, and we grabbed him and got him...up on the sand."
"Two doctors, who happened to be walking along the beach at the time, ran over to help before more medical assistance arrived," Walsh said.
The California Great shark attack victim was thereafter airlifted to the Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo where he was treated for wounds to his hip.
Reports indicate that Swanson's injuries were not life threatening. He was reportedly in "fair condition' and is responding well to treatment.
According to Robert Colligan, California State Park Ranger Supervisor, the beach would still remain open despite the shark attack.
Reports indicate that officials would put up sign on the beach for five days warning visitors of the attack. However, if there is another shark sighting during that time the sign would remain up for another five days.
