Footage of a surfer falling into the sea after crashing into a deadly shark has gone viral. An Australian surfer named Alex Soto collided with a shark during a training race for the 2019 Pan American Games. Soto had been racing in Cabarete in the Dominican Republic when he accidentally hits a shark and is sent flying into the waters.
The footage shows the terrifying seconds after the collision when Soto is perilously swimming in the water after falling off his board.
Despite being sent flying and losing his board, the surfer was able to hold onto his kite and swam safely away from the dangerous area.
Fortunately, he was picked up soon after and was not harmed from the ordeal.
The athlete from Australia later admitted that he’d spotted the shark seconds before the collision but could not act to prevent it as he was moving too fast.
Soto told press: “I never saw a shark in Cabarete in 14 years so when I saw the shark I was surprised.
“I went back to the school where I work, and I told the guys but they didn’t believe me, but I had my GoPro and I showed them the video.
“We are invading their habitat, so do not be surprised if you see any sharks.”
He described the collision as “my little tragic crash” on Facebook.
The shark survived the incident, but Soto’s board and the foil on his kite were seriously damaged.