Fisherman Attacked by Great White Shark Says ‘My Left Foot Was in His Mouth’

A 69-year-old diver has emerged relatively unscathed after a terrifying confrontation with a great white shark while lobster diving off the coast of South Australia. This recent incident, which took place on Wednesday, March 25, has gained considerable attention, particularly as it marks the third such encounter for the experienced diver, who is affectionately known as “Lucky Luke.”

Luke Kuhn was diving with his partner, Daniel Field, near Cape Jaffa on the Limestone Coast when the unexpected encounter occurred. According to reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Shark Watch SA, Kuhn was around 39 feet underwater, searching for lobsters, when he suddenly felt a forceful tug.

In a dramatic account of the terrifying moment, Kuhn described the chaos saying, “I was reaching under a shelf for a cray, then all of a sudden I’m getting dragged backwards along the ocean floor by something powerful, very powerful.” He quickly realised that the source of this force was a great white shark that had latched onto his fin. “The shark had my fin. He was pulling, I was pulling,” he recounted.

This incident stands out as Kuhn’s most harrowing encounter with a shark, despite having faced similar situations in the past. Once he realised his predicament, the seasoned diver looked down to find his left foot in the mouth of the great white, and he was alarmingly close to the animal’s head.

Demonstrating remarkable composure, Kuhn managed to free his foot from the shark’s grip before making a swift ascent to the surface. “I was in a bit of shock trying to work out what happened, but made my way to the top and just yelled to my mate to come get me,” he explained. His diving partner was quick to respond, reaching Kuhn’s side within moments after the encounter. Kuhn recalled his frightful appearance when Field noted that his face was visibly pale.

The news of this frightening experience spread rapidly among Kuhn’s network of friends and family. “Within hours, my cousin in Switzerland is calling me,” he shared. The story of his close brush with danger has garnered attention worldwide, leading to many of his friends reinforcing his nickname “Lucky Luke,” which takes on a new significance following this latest incident.

Kuhn’s extensive diving experience, boasting over 3,000 dives, has certainly played a role in his survival during such encounters. His resilience is commendable, and he continues to partake in the activity he loves despite the close call with the fearsome sea predator.

Shark-related encounters, while serious, are not entirely uncommon for those engaging in activities such as scuba diving and fishing in waters known to be frequented by great whites. However, the realities of these experiences often highlight both the dangers and the sheer unpredictability of marine life.

Following the incident, many are left with a sense of awe regarding Kuhn’s survival against the odds and the remarkable stories that emerge from such extraordinary experiences in the ocean. As he recovers from the shock of the encounter, Kuhn has certainly gained a new chapter in his life as “Lucky Luke”—now a title that embodies not only his adventurous spirit but also his brush with a creature known as one of the ocean’s most formidable predators.