Hawaii shark attack survivor says he punched shark as it took bite out of his leg

HONOLULU (AP) — After a 27-year-old Hawaii man made it to shore following a shark attack, he tried to call his mother.

But when the call failed, Braxton Rocha told The Associated Press from his hospital bed, he did the next best thing -- he posted a video of his wounded leg online.

Rocha said that he feared for his life after the attack Sunday. He said he punched the shark in the nose to escape.

He was worried the shark, which he estimates was at least 13 feet long, would attack him again as he swam the 60 yards back to shore.

Rocha was spear-fishing off the Big Island when the shark struck.

His video, which showed a huge gaping wound in his thigh, quickly went viral.

Warning: The video is extremely graphic. Q13 FOX News is not going to embed it, but if you wish to see it, you can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIImNobp0IM