A surfer attacked by a giant "15-foot" shark has praised his friend for coming to his rescue and giving him a "Christmas miracle".
Dad-of-one Adam Coons said he felt like he had been "blasted by a torpedo" as the huge sea predator, understood to have been a Great White, bit his leg while he surfed off the coast of California.
Having been dragged under the water, Adam's pal Jeremy Howard pulled him to safety before calling the state's coast guard, and a helicopter crew was able to airlift the lucky surfer to hospital.
Adam told ABC News he didn't feel the bite due to the adrenaline, and was "immediately submerged underwater getting thrashed" during the terrifying ordeal on Saturday (December 21).
The long-time surfer was preparing to catch his last wave of the day off Santa Rosa Island late in the afternoon when the shark struck, leaving onlookers, including Jeremy, watching in horror.
"I looked up and the white shark was hitting at him, it took him out of the water probably I'd say about five feet, ya know the shark had him in [its] mouth," said Jeremy.
He described how he was trying to encourage Adam to get back to the boat by telling him "come on...you can make it" before using his experience as a former lifeguard and commercial fisherman to save his friend's life.
Once Adam was safe in the boat, Jeremy tied a tourniquet onto his upper right leg to halt the bleeding, before the helicopter crew arrived, taking him first to Santa Barbara Airport, then to hospital.
Adam said without the rescue crew and Jeremy he "wouldn't be here", adding: "I just want to thank those guys from the bottom of my heart."
Wife Jackie and son Tosh have been to visit him in hospital and are looking forward to celebrating Christmas all together at home.
Jeremy remained grounded about the situation and believes surviving the incident with no long-term effects will "hopefully inspire others to not give up on their passions".
He also wants "families to hear the story of a Christmas miracle and to come together...no matter what".
But with his surfboard ruined and his wet suit showing the puncture marks where the shark's teeth drove into his leg, Jeremy said he doesn't know when he'll be back in the water.
