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Wild video captured the moment a young fisherman plunged into pounding Southern California surf to wrestle a thrashing shark and free it from his fishing line.
Kevin Phan, 20, was reportedly fishing at about 9 a.m. local time Wednesday on Hermosa Beach, when the sea dog caught his line from a nearby pier.
In a video captured by beach-goers, Phan was seen rushing to the shoreline to untangle the flailing predator.
He appeared to be dangerously close as he attempted to cut the line from the shark’s mouth.
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Video showed a 20-year-old fisherman rushing into the water to rescue a stranded great white shark off the California coast. (Alexandra Garry via Storyful)
Witnesses could be heard in the background speculating whether the shark was still alive.
After a number of tumbles through the incoming crashing waves, Phan grabbed ahold of the shark’s tail and fearlessly guided it back into the ocean, prompting cheers from onlookers.
“I saw a bunch people over there, and I ran down there like there’s something going on,” witness Stephen Copeland told local outlet KTLA. “He was in his underwear… he said that was the second one of the day.”
A great white shark swims in the waters off of California. (Reinhard Dirscherl/ullstein bild)
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Phan reportedly suffered minor cuts and scrapes, but was otherwise unharmed, according to the outlet.
Other fishermen at the pier said they may avoid the casting spot due to an increase in shark sightings.
Great White Shark (Carcharodon Carcharias) on the Guadalupe Island. (Dave Fleetham/Design Pics Editorial)
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“Don’t know if I’m gonna be coming here as often because of that,” George Lam told the news station. “Mostly just here for smaller fish, something get a quick bite.”
Studies by the California State University at Long Beach showed juvenile great white sharks generally pose a low risk to humans at beaches.
However, they frequently gather near the shore to feed on small fish.