A California man who was bitten multiple times by a shark while swimming near San Diego reportedly recalled “wrestling” with the shark and punching it in the mouth.
Caleb Adams, 46, recounted his near-death experience on June 2 in Del Mar, California, saying he felt a “strong physical impact” while swimming with 18 other swimmers who he regularly trains with at a Pacific beach.
“I realised I’d been attacked by a shark. I struggled with it for a few seconds,” he said. NBC News correspondent Gadi Schwartz.
The swimmer recalled hitting the shark “inside its mouth” multiple times and feeling the predator’s “soft tissue.”
Popular Florida resort closed after series of shark attacks
A great white shark swims in the waters off the coast of California. (Reinhard Dirschaer/Ulstein Bild via Getty Images)
“The second time I hit the shark I felt some soft tissue,” he said, “which I assume was in the shark’s mouth, and I had some cuts on my hands and wrists.”
WATCH: Hammerhead sharks surround paddleboarders
Fellow club member Kevin Barrett heard Caleb’s cries for help and rushed to help.
“That’s a real shoutout,” Barrett said.
Del Mar Beach was closed for 48 hours following the shark attack on June 2nd. (City of Del Mar)
Barrett said while he was pulling Adams to shore he saw blood pouring from his chest.
“As I was swimming him, blood was coming out of his chest,” Barrett said.
Great white shark swimming in the ocean (iStock)
Adams underwent surgery after the attack and was back home recovering by June 6th.
In a statement, The city of Del Mar said Adams suffered shark bites to his torso, left arm and hand during the attack, which happened about 100 yards offshore.
The California city did not say what species of shark attacked Adams.
