What began as a dream dive for British scuba diver Dan White quickly descended into terror as he witnessed a fellow diver being savagely attacked by a white-tip shark.
Though the horrifying event took place in 2018, the chilling memory remains seared into Dan’s mind.
Dan and his partner, Shaunie Thomas, were completing their deep-diver certification near the Brother Islands, off Egypt’s coast, when they encountered the predator just five meters below the surface.
At first, the shark seemed harmless, gliding effortlessly above the group. But as Dan began filming with his GoPro, its behavior suddenly changed. The creature circled a diver, snapping at his flippers in an increasingly aggressive manner.
The diver managed to kick the shark away, but the reprieve was short-lived. The predator quickly turned its attention to another man—and then launched a ferocious attack.
In a gruesome display, the shark latched onto the man’s leg and spun him violently in the water, before ripping off a portion of his calf muscle. The once-crystal blue waters were now clouded with blood.
Recalling the horrific scene in the 2023 documentary Why Sharks Attack, Dan described the moment in chilling detail:
“It bit onto the diver’s leg, latched on, and they ended up spinning almost like a cartwheel. It was crazy—it wouldn’t let go for what felt like forever, and it tore off his calf muscle.”
The terror-stricken screams of another diver pierced through the water, their voice captured in Dan’s footage—an unforgettable reminder of the savage attack.
Despite the excruciating pain, the injured diver managed to wrestle himself free from the shark’s razor-sharp jaws.
He was rushed back to the dive boat, where he received emergency medical care before being transported to a hospital, where his leg was miraculously saved.
A Surge in Shark Attacks Worldwide
Dan’s encounter is just one of many brutal shark attacks that have sent shockwaves through the diving and swimming communities worldwide.
Only last week, a Canadian tourist suffered life-altering injuries after a bull shark ripped off both of her hands in a horrifying attack in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The 55-year-old woman had been enjoying a swim when the seven-foot predator suddenly bumped into her legs, circled back, and bit into her thigh.
Instinctively, she raised her hands to defend herself—but the shark clamped down, severing both hands—one at the mid-forearm, the other at the wrist.
Her horrified husband threw himself between her and the shark, fighting off the predator until she managed to stagger out of the water before collapsing on the beach.
Disturbing images show bystanders desperately pressing cloths against her wounds, attempting to stem the bleeding as they awaited emergency responders.
She was later airlifted to Canada for urgent surgery and recovery.
Authorities confirmed the attack occurred on February 7 near Thompson’s Cove Beach.
A Growing Global Pattern
According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) at the Florida Museum of Natural History, there were 69 unprovoked shark attacks worldwide last year, with 14 proving fatal.
The United States recorded the most attacks, with 36 cases, while swimmers and waders made up 43% of victims.
Elsewhere in the Caribbean, two American tourists were left severely injured after being attacked by sharks off the coast of Bimini Bay, Bahamas. Both required emergency air transport for advanced medical care.
How to Survive a Shark Encounter
Experts advise that in the event of a shark encounter, individuals should remain as still as possible and avoid frantic movements, which can provoke an attack.
If a shark strikes, the best defense is to punch it in the nose, a highly sensitive area that may cause it to retreat.
If a shark is circling but has not yet attacked, remaining calm and watchful is key until it loses interest and swims away.