Teen fends off two-metre shark by stabbing it in the nose
A West Australian teenager has escaped a terrifying confrontation with a two-metre shark by stabbing it in the face with a spearfishing gun.
Lucas Martin was fishing off the coast of Mandurah, 70kms south of Perth, when he noticed a dark shadow creeping up beside him and feared the worst.
On turning to see a giant shark approaching, the 14-year-old sprung into action and began stabbing its nose with his large spiked gidgey, Seven News reports.
Lucas Martin (pictured), 14, escaped a terrifying confrontation with a two-metre shark by stabbing it in the face with a spearfishing gun
Lucas, from Falcon, said his quick reaction was enough to ward off the massive creature, and give him time to warn others of the looming predator.
He was fishing off Avalon Point when the shark approached, which he thought might have been after the fish he had just speared.
'This shadow was fastly approaching me and it actually turned out to be a shark. I was really scared at that moment,' he said.
He recommended others who found themselves in similar situations should, 'get out of the water as quick as you can and let other people know.'
The teen's father has praised the city's numbered beach system, which was implemented following a fatal shark attack in 2016.
He was fishing off Avalon Point when the shark approached, which he thought might have been after the fish he had just speared
Emergency crews struggled to locate surfer Ben Gerring because of the confusing coastline and difficulty accessing the beach.
The 'Ben System' was set up last year after his brother, Rick, lobbied for beaches to be given unique numbers to make them more easily identified in emergency situations.
'We were right next to the Ben System, it was clear, we phoned the water police and we let them know the number,' Lucas' father Marcus said.
Almost immediately, authorities blasted alerts through social media informing their following about the shark sighting.