02 July 2023 , 11:46
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A man was attacked by a shark and left thinking he was going to die as it circled him before he was miraculously saved by dolphins, he has recalled.
Martin Richardson had been swimming in the Red Sea, in Egypt, when he was set upon by the deadly predator.
The mako shark bit him five times, and was circling him, seemingly readying to go in for the kill.
Martin admitted he had given up and was waiting for the shark to finish him off as he turned to look at the mountains as he thought he was going to die.
But then something incredible happened.
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Appearing on National Geographic’s new show ‘Saved from a Shark’ he recalled his near death experience.
Martin Richardson had been swimming in the Red Sea, in Egypt, when he was attacked and bitten five times (ITV)He said: "There was no reason for the shark to stop.
"I had lost approximately 5 pints (2.8L) of blood. You only have 8 to 9 [pints] (4.5-5L) in your body.
“I was waiting for a feeding frenzy… I knew it was circling me… I turned away and looked at the mountains. I gave up."
It was then a pod of dolphins appeared behind him, and the bloody attack came to an abrupt end.
Thanks to the intervention, the boat which had been desperately racing to get to him before the shark did could swoop in and rush him to hospital - where he got over 300 stitches.
The shark bit the Brit five times (stock image) (Getty Images)He added: "I firmly believe the dolphins saved my life.”
Whilst the story of heroic dolphins may be heartwarming, experts cast doubt over the altruism of their actions.
They may have in fact been protecting themselves.
Mike Heithaus, a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Florida International University, told the show: "The dolphins see a big cloud of blood, they know a shark is in the area."
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Heithaus said if the creatures had young, they might have suspected the shark was looking to attack their babies and go on the offensive.
"They may not have been trying to save Martin," he explained.
Heithaus added one of the most bizarre stories of people interacting with dolphins occurred when a group of lifeguards were swimming in the sea off the coast of New Zealand.
One of the lifeguards, Rob Howes, told the programme a pod suddenly surrounded them and one of the larger males appeared to charge at him.
Little did the swimmers know a great white shark had been stalking them, and the dolphin was in fact going after the marine beast.
Heithaus said there have been many cases of dolphins and even whales protecting humans, but in most cases this wasn't out of love for mankind.
But for the lifeguards in New Zealand, he told Live Science: "This is one case where it really seemed like the dolphins were protecting people."
Saved from a Shark will be shown as part of the annual Sharkfest event on National Geographic WILD on Monday 17th July at 8pm.