Shark attacks fishing boat in Australia

It was the latest in a series of shark attacks in South Australia which this years have claimed three lives including that of a New Zealand honeymooner. The 4.5-metre monster first tried to snatch the bait bag attached to the 3.5-metre fibreglass dinghy.

Fisherman Harry Ulbrich said the shark then belted the boat with its tail, swam underneath and lifted the boat into the air. "It went like a torpedo at us. I didn't know what to do. My mind switched off," Ulbrich told Australia's AAP news agency.

He came to his senses and threw handfuls of bait overboard to distract the shark while he and his companion raised the anchor and got the outboard motor going. Ulbrich said his companion went into shock and was speechless for half an hour following the attack.

(la/dpa)