An experienced scuba diver from Western Australia has lived to tell the tale of a heart-stopping confrontation with a great white shark, after the massive predator physically pinned him to the sandy ocean floor.
A Grinning Predator in Perth's Waters
The frightening incident unfolded on Sunday in the waters off Ocean Reef, in Perth's north. Tanveer Dhillon, a seasoned diver, found himself mere metres away from the giant shark. Footage from the surface showed the imposing creature lurking near the boat, with shocked onlookers exclaiming about its size.
"I saw a big great white grinning straight at me," Dhillon told 7NEWS. "My heart was in my mouth and that memory is forever etched in my mind." Below the surface, the situation escalated rapidly from a sighting to a physical assault.
Ten Minutes of Sheer Helplessness
The shark charged at Dhillon, ramming him forcefully into a sand bank. His initial confusion, thinking his dive buddy had kicked him, turned to pure terror when he turned and saw the truth. "It was sheer panic, sheer fear," he recalled.
With the apex predator circling him, Dhillon's survival instincts kicked in. He managed to wedge himself into a rocky ledge on the ocean floor, using it as a makeshift hiding spot. For what felt like an eternity, the shark continued its menacing circles for approximately ten minutes, as Dhillon watched the precious air in his oxygen tank deplete second by second.
"I did say a prayer and said, if I get out of this situation, I'm never going to put myself in this position again because you're helpless," he said. "You're completely helpless."
Escape and a Cautious Future
Miraculously, the shark eventually moved out of sight. Seizing the fleeting opportunity, Dhillon spotted his dive mates and made a frantic but successful swim to the safety of their boat. He emerged from the ordeal physically unharmed, but psychologically shaken.
While the avid diver hasn't sworn off the sport he loves, he admitted the traumatic event would keep him on dry land for a while. "I do need more time to process," Dhillon stated, adding a touch of grim humour: "but if you know someone that's looking for dive gear, let me know." His story serves as a stark reminder of the raw power and unpredictability of nature, even close to a major city like Perth.
