A shark attack survivor walked away from the scene with a gash on his hand after he punched the animal in the face to escape while swimming at a popular California beach on Sunday.
Following multiple bites from the shark, the 46-year-old man punched the predator on the nose before he was rescued by nearby swimmers, according to NBC News.
He was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla after suffering injuries to his left hand, left arm, and torso, said the City of Del Mar, north of San Diego.
The victim belongs to an experienced ocean swimming group that trains weekly.
Jenna Veal, who was swimming just behind the man during the attack, recounted to NBC's 'TODAY' show on Monday that she heard him scream for help.
"He punched it in the face; he punched it in the nose," Veal said.
"I do know he had a gash on his hand from a shark's tooth."
As swimmers quickly took the man to shore, a passing ER doctor also stopped to help before paramedics arrived.
"There is a massive all-hands-on-deck movement of support today," Veal said.
She also added that the swimmer remained conscious throughout and is expected to recover.
The attack forced the entire stretch of beach within a mile to close off, leaving many local beachgoers shocked.
"I have never seen a shark sign or have known of an incident occurring right here," one witness told NBC.
The risk of unprovoked shark bites worldwide remains extremely low.
Experts are advising swimmers to always stay in groups to help reduce the risk of an attack.
According to the Florida Museum of Natural History's International Shark Attack File, there were only 36 attacks in the U.S. last year, including two in California, one of which was fatal.
