California diver films scary encounter with great white shark

SANTA BARBARA, Calif — A diver had a frightening encounter with a great white shark off the California coast and captured the incident on his camera.

Tyler McQuillen had his GoPro camera attached to his spear gun as he swam out from the beach near Santa Barbara. He told KABC that he soon felt a sudden tug and then saw one of his flippers go past him.

Realizing he had just been bitten by a shark, the 22-year-old retrieved his spear gun. Within moments the shark came at him again, and McQuillen realized it was a great white.

McQuillen jabbed the shark with his spear gun and then retreated from the scene. He later posted a photo to social media that shows the bite mark across two of his toes.

He said the experience was terrifying, but plans to return to the ocean again once he heals.

Cox Media Group