Diver survives second shark attack in nine years

A diver has survived a second shark attack nine years after he nearly died from a similar experience.

Greg Pickering had to undergo 10 hours of surgery to sort out head and facial injuries after being savaged by a Great White near Poison Creek in Esperance, western Australia, nearly a decade after he was attacked twice by a shark five nautical miles further up the coast in Cervantes.

The 55-year-old guy was working for Australian company Southern Wild Abalone when he was set upon by the beast, and the organisation's manager Marcus Tromp admitted his injuries were "substantial".

He told ABC: "He would have been preparing for his daily business and unfortunately this has occurred.

"Obviously, there has been some substantial injuries with any encounter with a shark but at this stage, again, still quiet sketchy.

“I understood that he was still conscious and in good hands as far as first aid goes.

“All divers, especially at that age, have had a passion for the ocean for their entire life."