Shark attack survivor describes 'crunch' sound when beast bit into his face

14 September 2023 , 04:39

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Mark Sumersett (Image: WESH)

A surfer has described the "crunch" sound he heard when a shark chomped down on the side of his face.

Mark Sumersett, 38, is lucky to be alive after the beast went after him while he was riding the waves at New Smyrna Beach in Florida. Recalling the attack, he says he was under the water and about to jump back onto his board when he felt the shark's teeth grab hold of his face.

Speaking to Speaking to NBC he said: “It was the scariest thing I've probably ever been through in my life. I've been in bad car accidents. Nothing like this. It was pressure, and I'll tell you that pressure, it was like a crunch.

(WESH)

“I heard the crunch. It felt like a bear trap crunching on my face.”

Luckily the shark let go fairly quickly and Mark was able to get back to the shore. A woman who was on the beach was able to call 911 and get him the medical care he needed. Mark received more than 20 stitches and will likely be left scarred.

Hero desperately tried to save girl, 16, killed by shark in front of friends

(FOX35)

In another interview with Fox 35 he added: " It was definitely a fight or flight situation. I was like, ‘What do you do?'

"You don't know what to do when a shark bites you. This doesn't happen this often."

"God has a reason for me to be here. And that's to help other people on this earth," he said. I'm just so grateful."

The attack happened just before 8am on Tuesday.

Zoe Forsey