Diver escapes shark's clutches

A diver in Australia has dramatically freed himself from the jaws of a Great White shark by poking it in the eye, according to reports.

The shark grabbed Eric Nerhus by the head, chomping down on the man's face mask and breaking his nose, a fellow diver said after the attack.

After the shark came down for a second bite in Mr Nerhus' chest region, he managed to free himself before being pulled aboard a boat.

Dennis Luobikis, a fellow diver who saw the attack, told the Associated Press: "He was actually bitten by the head down - the shark swallowed his head.

"Eric is a tough boy. He's super fit. But I would say that would test anyone's resolve, being a fish lunch."

Mr Nerhus was flown to a hospital by helicopter after making it back to the shore, suffering from shock and a loss of blood.

Shark attacks are relatively common in Australian waters, with an average of 15 reported every year, one of which turns out to be fatal.