Dentist describes being attacked by deadly bull shark as he fished on paradise holiday to the Bahamas
Texan Dr Steven Cuthbirth was able to escape by the skin of his teeth after fending off bull shark
A DENTIST has recalled the terrifying moment he got too close to the teeth of his latest patient - a giant killer shark.
Texan Dr Steven Cuthbirth was spearfishing with his son-in-law in the Bahamas when the six-foot bull shark swam into him.
Fighting back, he whacked the shark with his weapon - but it only acted to send the beast into a biting "frenzy" that saw his face and leg bitten to ribbons.
Describing how the attack felt like being struck by an "18-wheeler truck" the dentist said: "My dive mask and knife (strapped to my right leg) seem to have prevented significant tissue loss.
"The bites were above my mask on my forehead and below my mask through my upper right lip and cheek.
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"He got a nice bite on my right knee on both sides of the kneecap and my right outer thigh. All in all, no complaints - a very lucky person. All men should have a few well placed scars on their face, don't you think?"
Miraculously Cuthbirth was able to fight off the shark and swim to safety on a nearby boat.
He was treated at a hospital for several gruesome cuts to his lips and face.
Later describing the experience on his Facebook page, he wrote: "As I neared the surface, all of a sudden it was as if a football linebacker had crashed into the right side of my head.
"I was stunned and could not imagine what had hit me. I looked to my right and there was the white bottom side of the shark's mouth along with a wide open mouth and plenty of teeth.
"I released the spear and fish and instinctively struck out with the back of my right arm and hand, still holding the spear handle, striking the shark square in the right side of its head.
"That knocked it back a bit, only to have it now in full frenzy coming back at me, banging into my side and right leg, searching for the speared fish.
"I kicked it with my fin and shot to the surface in a daze, not knowing exactly what had taken place."
Along with great white and tiger sharks, bull sharks are the species responsible for the most attacks on humans.
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