'Mum might kill me': Young doctor punches shark in the face after being knocked off surfboard
A young British doctor has escaped a terrifying encounter with a shark while surfing with his mates on the NSW Central Coast.
Charlie Fry, 25, was paddling back to shore just 30 metres from North Avoca beach's shark tower when he felt a thumping knock to his right shoulder on Monday afternoon.
As he fell from his board, the UK native saw the head of a shark surface moments before it went in for another blow.
“I just punched it with my left hand and shouted out to my mates and paddled so hard back to shore," he told the Daily Telegraph.
Charlie Fry suffered a puncture wound to his arm. Source: Supplied
The 25-year-old said he's not sure what kind of shark it was. Source: Supplied
“It was terrifying but it only lasted five seconds. I’ll get to tell the story for the rest of my life.”
He managed to fend the shark off with his left arm before scrambling back onto his board and bolt back into shore while also alerting his three friends.
Unaware exactly what had happened to their mate, the other three surfers made their way into shore where they saw the puncture wound to his right arm.
One of the men, who is also a doctor, rushed Dr Fry to Gosford Hospital where they both work.
He was rushed to the hospital where he worked but his injuries aren't major. Source: Supplied
The 25-year-old was taken from the beach to the Gosford Hospital where he works. Source: Supplied
He was treated for his scratches and wounds and is now recovering at home, trading stories with his mates who shared in the terrifying experience.
After only being in Australia for two months, the recovering doctor said he's not sure if he'll share the news back home.
“Geez I don’t know if I can tell mum, she might kill me,” he added.
Avoca Beach and North Avoca have been closed for 24 hours following the ordeal.
