Sydney (AFP)
A French surfer survived a shark attack in Australia with minor leg injuries by punching him, he told local media.
Dylan Nacass, 23, was surfing at Bells Beach, a Melbourne area beach, when the shark attacked him on Friday, 9News reported on Saturday.
A video shows a shark near two men swimming on their board towards the shore.
"I punch him, he stays in my paws. Twice, after he leaves," said the young man in English to the Australian television channel.
A local resident, Matt Sedunary, said he rushed into the ocean to help the young Frenchman after understanding that he was in trouble.
"He started screaming, honestly I thought he was joking with his friends," he said. But he thought, "I'm not going to give up on this guy. Most people would do the same."
The video was filmed by an Australian, Graham Blade, who said he quickly understood that it was a shark attack. "I saw him appear behind him and I knew it was really that."
Dylan Nacass was left for scrapes and stitches.
Australia is one of the countries with the most frequent attacks of sharks, with 27 last year according to the Taronga Zoo in Sydney. Deaths are rare: there were not in 2019, but already two in 2020.
"I really want to go back quickly. As soon as my leg is ... it's good, I'm going to go back surfing soon," promised the surfer.
© 2020 AFP