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02/02/2018 - Lucas Martin - Australia

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alb
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02/02/2018 - Lucas Martin - Australia

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Teen spearfisher Lucas Martin fights off shark at Avalon Point, Mandurah

A Mandurah boy has told of the terrifying moment he fended off a two-metre shark by punching it in the nose.

Lucas Martin's family say they were able to quickly warn others, thanks to a beach numbering system championed by the family of shark attack victim, Ben Gerring.

Lucas had only seconds to react as the shark approached him while he was spear fishing off Avalon Point late yesterday.

The 14-year-old believes the shark was chasing the fish he had just speared when it headed towards him.

“This shadow was fastly approaching me, and it actually turned out to be a shark,” he said.

“I was really scared at that moment.

“I just (hit the shark) to its nose and it just went away.”

The teenager immediately scrambled up to the reef to warn others of the predator.

His close encounter took place near where Mandurah surfer Ben Gerring was fatally mauled by a shark in 2016.

Back then, emergency services had difficulty locating the spot on a confusing Mandurah coastline.

His brother Rick Gerring successfully lobbied to have emergency numbers placed on local beaches last year and the BEN system was introduced.

Lucas alerted Water Police of yesterday’s shark using the BEN system and authorities tweeted warnings almost immediately.

Mr Gerring says this isn't the first time his brother's legacy has helped others or saved lives and hopes more coastal councils will adopt the numbering system.

https://thewest.com.au
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