British swimmer survives DOUBLE great white shark attack – but is angry he has to abandon his journey

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A BRITISH swimmer has survived a double shark attack — but revealed he’s most peeved about having to give up on his marathon challenge.

Christopher Murray, 50, was swimming across the Catalina Channel off the coast of Los Angeles when he was horrifically mauled by two great whites.

CBN NEWSChris Murray was horrifically attacked by two sharks[/caption]

CBN NEWSOne shark clung onto his hand and pierced through his skin[/caption]

The first beast lunged at the athlete’s hand mid-swim – sinking its sharp teeth into his skin.

Undisturbed, Christopher pushed the shark off and wiggled out of its grip.

But moments later, he felt another set of nashers clamp down on his right foot.

He told CBS News: “The shark has come from my right because my left arm was outstretched and it’s bitten me once.

“I think because my hand was moving, it didn’t really grip onto it. It hit me and I shook it off.

And then, I felt another attack and a clamp on my right foot.”

As though one run-in wasn’t enough, Christopher was then forced to kick the beast again – thankfully, escaping more serious damage.

He said: “I didn’t know what it was at the time but I knew I’d definitely been bitten.

“Then it grabbed… and the way sharks tend to grab their prey is they’ll latch on and then they’ll shake, so I had to kick it off with my other foot.”

Despite a brush with death, Christopher revealed he felt no pain and was actually more frustrated he had to cut his marathon swim short.

He fumed: “I was confident I’d finished that swim with all the training and [when I was bitten], I knew that was going to spoil it.”

Luckily, the swimmer suffered no life-threatening injuries but was rushed to hospital where he was given 20 stitches on his hand.

His foot underwent more serious treatment.

He was saved by members aboard the escort boat who shone a torch on the water when they noticed the shark approaching again.

They quickly pulled him from the water and took him to A&E.

Christopher had been training for the mammoth task for six months by swimming 25 miles a week.

Although he was aware of the risks, swimming The Catalina Channel is considered a massive achievement.

Protect yourself from a shark attack

Below are some tips to protect yourself from shark attacks:

Swim in groups
Don’t swim during dawn or dusk
Avoid fishing areas
Don’t wear anything bright
Pay attention to your surroundings

Source: American Surf Magazine

Alongside the English channel and a swim around Manhattan Island, it forms part of the “Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming”.

Swimmers must cross the channel at night because of the treacherous, windy conditions during the day.

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, shark attacks in the area are uncommon, citing only 15 since 1950.

Despite the terrifying ordeal, Christopher hasn’t written off attempting the perilous crossing again in the future, saying: “Never say never”.

The attack comes just days after an eight-year-old boy was airlifted to the hospital after a shark mauled him off a Florida beach as he snorkeled with his dad.

The little boy was left fighting for his life when the underwater beast latched onto his leg and caused “significant” blood loss.

He was attacked while snorkeling off Horseshoe Reef in Key Largo, which is an island on the Florida Keys.

A nearby dive vessel rushed over to help the boy get out of the shark-infested waters after the beast struck.

CBN NEWSThe swimmer was rushed to hospital where he was given 20 stitches[/caption]

GettySanta Catalina Island in California where the Catalina channel is loacated[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]

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