Man gets bravery award for saving teen guide in shark attack

An Australian has earned a bravery award for grabbing a 12ft (3.7m) great white shark by the tail as it mauled a snorkeller.

Trevor Burns received the Star of Courage for grappling with the shark and then rescuing its victim, Elyse Frankcom, off the south-west coast town of Rockingham in 2010. The only higher Australian civilian award for bravery is the Cross of Valour.

Ms Frankcom was a 19-year-old guide showing dolphins to a group of a dozen tourist snorkellers including Mr Burns when the shark clamped her thighs in its jaws.

Mr Burns said he clung to the tail for several seconds despite its violent thrashing before the shark released Ms Frankcom and swam away.

Ms Frankcom has largely recovered from her injuries.