Australian speaks on shark strike

An Australian man fought off a bull shark as he snorkelled near Sydney on Monday, freeing his leg from its jaws with a punch.

UPSOT (OFF-AIR RECORDING OF NEWS-READER ANNOUNCING NEWS OF SHARK ATTACKS- NETWORK NINE AND NETWORK TEN )

The news in Australia, a spate of shark attacks has made headlines and set radio talk shows a buzz during the annual school holidays when a swimmer was rushed to hospital (Monday January 12) after being bitten in what is believed to be the third shark attack off Australian beaches in just two days, say police.

24 year-old Steven Foggarty, was bitten on his right leg by a bull shark as he snorkelled in the mouth of Lake Illawarra, South of Sydney.

Shark Attack victim Steven Foggarty.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) Shark Attack victim Steven Foggarty, saying:

"I just saw the blood all over both feet and had a quick look to make sure both legs were there and they were there."

Foggarty said he punched the shark to make it let go of his leg.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) Shark Attack victim Steven Foggarty, saying:

"I just turned, started swinging, tried my best anyway, I think I got one on him. And I was screaming out for help and everyone just looked at me and just kept walking like nothing had happened."

Witnesses, however, soon realised the seriousness of the attack and said Foggarty appeared as white as a ghost.

Attack witness, Cherie Yeaman.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) Attack witness, Cherie Yeaman, saying:

"I got here just as they brought him here on the boat- they just laid him up there and someone wrapped him up in a blanket."

On Sunday, two surfers survived separate shark attacks just two weeks after a snorkeller was killed by a large shark off the country's West coast. Swimmers on Sydney beaches were not deterred from entering the water, though many conceded they would only swim in the shallow water.

Local resident, John Martin.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) Local resident, John Martin, saying:

"I think all Australians have an intrinsic fear of sharks, none of us want to become part of the food chain. But every summer we get the same beat-up about shark stories and no-one I know has been eaten by a shark."

Despite the recent attacks, there have only been about 60 fatal shark attacks in the past 50 years, according to the Australian Shark Attack File at Sydney's Taronga Zoo.

Neena Dhaun, Reuters.