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'This is how I'm going to die': Lost diver swam 7.5km to shore stalked by shark

A diver separated from his boat off the coast of Western Australia said he was lucky to be alive after being forced to swim 7.5km back to shore shadowed by a large tiger shark.

The spear fisherman, named in local media as John Craig, was underwater off Western Australia's Shark Bay on Friday when his boat was swept away due to engine problems and strong currents.

“My heart rate was sky high. I put my head in the water to check I was in the same place and suddenly saw a huge 4m tiger shark approaching within arm’s reach,” Mr Craig told Perth Now.

A diver separated from his boat off the coast of Australia reunited with his wife after being rescued. Photo: Shark Bay Volunteer Marine Rescue
A diver separated from his boat off the coast of Australia reunited with his wife after being rescued. Photo: Shark Bay Volunteer Marine Rescue

"It was easily the biggest tiger shark I've been in the water with and that's saying something having worked as a dive instructor for over 10 years."

Craig said a sandbar whaler was also closing in on him in the shark-infested waters as he made the decision to swim back to shore.

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"I have to admit that at this point I thought I was gone four nautical miles out to sea with a huge tiger shark following me. I thought this was it, this is how I'm going to die," he said.

Craig kept his speargun pointed behind him as he embarked on a swim of "pure endurance", eventually losing the shark.

He was later spotted by rescuers on a remote beach.

Shark Bay marine rescue volunteers and the Department of Fisheries were all involved in the search and rescue. Photo: Shark Bay Volunteer Marine Rescue
Shark Bay marine rescue volunteers and the Department of Fisheries were all involved in the search and rescue. Photo: Shark Bay Volunteer Marine Rescue

"It's an absolutely incredible story," Shark Bay Volunteer Marine Rescue commander Greg Ridgley told Perth's Sunday Times.

"He swam at least five miles in shark-infested waters... I just can't believe anybody could do that. It's such a massive effort, in that short timeframe too."

There have been 14 encounters off the nation's vast coastline this year, including the death of a 17-year-old girl mauled by a shark in full view of her parents in Western Australia.

Experts say incidents are increasing as water sports become more popular and baitfish move closer to shore, but fatalities remain rare.

Rescuers spotted Mr Craig waving from a remote beach and helped him onto their boat. Photo: Shark Bay Volunteer Marine Rescue
Rescuers spotted Mr Craig waving from a remote beach and helped him onto their boat. Photo: Shark Bay Volunteer Marine Rescue