Man Escapes Shark Encounter Uninjured Off Margaret River

A 61-year-old wing foiler escaped uninjured after a close encounter with a suspected great white shark off the coast of Margaret River in Western Australia on Monday afternoon. Andy McDonald was hydrofoiling at the Bombie surf break near Prevelly around 5:45 p.m. when the shark struck his board from below, launching him into the air and pulling him underwater in a brief but intense struggle.

The incident unfolded about half a mile from shore, between the Boat Ramp and Bombie surfing spots, an area known for its challenging waves and occasional shark activity. McDonald, who moved to the region from Melbourne two decades ago, described the sudden impact as feeling like a "freight train." "Just out of the blue, something just went bang, straight up from behind, like a super solid hit and I was flying through the air and just crashed into the water," he recounted. He landed on the shark, becoming entangled in his leashes, and fought back by punching and kicking the animal while it bit into his board. "I was tangled up with the shark," McDonald said. "I thought, well, this is it."

Submerged momentarily, McDonald did not see the shark clearly amid the foam and chaos but estimated the...