Surfer’s mum saw shark attack on TV

As three-time world surfing champion Mick Fanning fended off an attacking shark during a competition in South Africa, his mother in Australia was watching the incident live.

The Australian surfer was struck by the shark from behind and knocked into the water as he sat on his board waiting for his turn during the JBay Open in Jeffrey’s Bay, Eastern Cape Province.

As he scans the water, two fins appear and with a splash he disappears under the surface. He is next seen furiously trying to swim to safety before a rescuer pulls him out of the water.