A heroic dad saved his 17-year-old daughter from being eaten alive by punching a shark five times on the nose, reports say.
Paige Winter was reportedly out swimming at Fort Macon State Park in North Carolina, US, when the shark attacked her on Sunday.
Her dad, a firefighter and paramedic, leaped into action and hit the predator with a five-punch combination, causing the animal to flee, it is claimed.
Paige was left with deep cuts across her body and had to have her leg amputated.
She also lost several fingers and may yet require a hand transplant, according to her gran Janet.
Janet wrote on Facebook : "Thank God our son was with her, he said he punched the shark in the face five times before it let go. Wish we could be with them.
"Surgery over she is still alive, one leg gone. May need a hand transplant in the future and several on the other. Please keep her in your prayers."
Paige's family has raised more than £6,000 in a crowdfunding page set up to pay for her medical bills.
The teenager was airlifted to hospital after she was whisked to safety by her dad and is now awake in hospital 'cracking jokes', according to The Sun .
Her mum Marcy reportedly said Paige wants everyone to know that 'sharks are still good people', despite her experience.
There have been a string of fatal shark attacks in recent months, claiming the lives of a 65-year-old man in Hawaii last week and a Parisian surfer in the Indian Ocean May.
