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Great white shark attacks fisherman in ‘horrifying scene' off California coast

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — A great white shark attacked a man spear fishing off Pebble Beach, California, Friday severely injuring his leg in what witnesses described as a "horrifying scene," according to news outlets

The victim's father, Armen Azatian, told KPIX-TV that the shark took "two or three bites" out of his son, 25-year-old Grigor Azatian, while they were fishing several hundred yards offshore. Azatian told the TV station that his son remained calm throughout the attack by the 15-foot shark and after he managed to escape.

“The rescue team told me his leg had been hit really hard,” Dan Silveira told KPIX. “I hope he gets to keep his leg. I hope he recovers fully.”

Grigor Azatian sustained a severe injury to his right thigh, rescue officials said, and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The shark may have been tagged with a monitor by researchers shortly before the attack, local media reported.