Surviving a shark attack

Shark attacks on humans are rare, but they’re slowly on the rise in Australia where all our guests are from. In this episode they share the terrifying moment when they realised they were under attack.

For Brett Connellan in New South Wales, it was an encounter with a Great White.

“Out of nowhere I get hit with this immense force from my right side and this force was so strong it threw me off my surf board,” he says. “I landed in the water and before I could even look around and figure out what had happened I look down and see this shark biting into my right leg. This for me is that distinct moment when time just stops.”

Brett is joined by fellow survivors Justine Barwick and Dave Pearson. Together the share their stories and discuss life, death and why they ultimately feel lucky.

Host: James Reynolds
BBC producer: Isabella Bull
Boffin Media producer: Sue Nelson
Editors: Harriet Oliver and Arja Haikonen
A Boffin Media production in partnership with the BBC World Service Outside Source team

(Photo: Brett Connellan, who features in this episode. Credit: Sam Tolhurst)