#SharkAttack #ManhattenBeachCA EDIS CODE: BH-20140706-44434-USA Date & Time: 2014-07-06 18:45:45 [UTC] Area: USA, State of California, Manhattan Beach A swimmer at one of Californias most popular beaches has survived being mauled by a 7ft great white shark after punching the animal on the nose. Steven Robles, 40, was bitten by the juvenile shark while swimming at Manhattan Beach on Saturday morning. The animal is believed to have attacked Mr Robles around 9.30am after being caught by a fisherman. And incredibly, Mr Robles fighting off the beast was captured on camera by a group fishing on the pier. Unaware the man had been attacked, the group initially laughed about how close the swimmers were to the catch. Then after hearing screams and seeing other swimmers drag the man to safety, the shocked group realised the swimmer had been bitten. Mr Robles was attacked as the shark, which had been on the line about an hour, panicked and struggled to unhook itself, reports suggested. Casey Fenwick, a surfer who had been in the water near the victim at the time, told the New York Daily News: There was blood everywhere and I realised that something had gotten him. He was screaming the whole time and I understand why. I was just worried about getting this guy in and on the board so somebody could help. Another witness, Aram Ozen, said people began screaming white! white! for a great white shark. It was a scary scream, he added. It was kind of freaky. There was a lot people screaming back to shore. Police said: The deputies directed a lifeguard boat and a Redondo Beach Harbor Patrol boat to the shark. A paddle boarder was directed away from the shark by the boat crews. After approximately 30 minutes, the boats were able to coax the shark out to deeper water and away from the pier. Mr Robles, who had been swimming for charity in a group of 15 people, was said to be in a stable condition despite being bitten in the ribs, back and right arm. He was taken to UCLA Harbor Medical center where he is being treated for multiple puncture wounds, police said. The beach has now reopened
Posted on: Mon, 07 Jul 2014 06:12:27 +0000