Glen Folkard, Australian Shark Attack Surfer Lives To Show Off Scar And Tell Miraculous Survival Tale (GRAPHIC PHOTOS)

An Australian surfer has lived to tell the tale of a shark attack so terrifying, that it would put Steven Spielberg's 'Jaws' to shame.

Forty-four-year-old Glen Folkard was surfing near Newcastle, 80 miles north of Sydney, Australia in January this year, when a bull shark came out of nowhere and threw him from his board. Folkard was pulled below the surface and the shark sunk its teeth into his thigh.

SCROLL DOWN FOR GRAPHIC PHOTOS

But when the animal released his grip for another go, Folkard seized the moment to escape and safely swam back to shore where two lifeguards helped him.

"It was everything you'd think it would be, just sheer terror," Folkard told Agence France-Presse.

"He's hit me from underneath, he's grabbed me, he's turned me, took me under and then let go cause I think he had fiberglass in his mouth... and that was my chance," he added.

After spending several days in intensive care suffering from massive blood loss, Folkard came out alive, but not unscathed.

The bull shark left an impressive scar on his right buttock. The 10-ft-long animal also took off 4 pounds of flesh, notes the Daily Mail

This isn't the first attack of its kind.

A 28-year-old man survived a shark bite on his arm while surfing off North Avoca, about 55 miles north of Sydney, on Jan. 3, the Associated Press reports.

To see more photos of the aftermath of Glen Folkard's shark attack, check out the slideshow below.

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Comments

[michaelc2b]

08:37 PM on 04/11/2012

OMG, that picture of the scar was horrible!

[Lenny67]

05:17 AM on 03/27/2012

Hey it was me that got the chomp on Jan 18, on holidays with family ATM tryin to get some time away but there ain't no getting away from it in my head eh, mosta the time it's "all good" but today it's not, bummed...thanks for all the supportive comments guys. Pretty disappointed by the attitude of some of the comments, I nearly died, just try to imagine the fear that I went through? The trauma my wife and 3 kids have been thru, whats wrong with you people! I have lots to be here for but he also took lots from me, physically and mentally. Unlucky but very lucky at the same time.
Kind Regards to all my well wisher's, Glen "Lenny" Folkard.

[gr2ry]

10:14 PM on 03/30/2012

Lenny I trust this is really you. Negative comments are terrible. Just ignore them. I have a question. I'm just curious what yourskin graft is from? It looks like pig skin/xenograft.

[Lenny67]

06:16 AM on 04/01/2012

Hey mate,

Yea neg comments on this upset me depending on how much I've had to drink!
My graft is from my other leg, 2 big rectangles that just won't farking heal eh, blisters and rawness 12 weeks on, soooo over it.

Glen "Lenny" Folkard

[michaelc2b]

08:46 PM on 04/11/2012

Just ignore the ignorant comments. I feel for you - just seeing the picture of your scars is enough to let me know what you obviously went through. I can't even imagine the pain and fear you have been through. Best wishes to you and your family, take care and wishing you a speedy recovery.

[KenMoore]

05:53 PM on 03/26/2012

Now THAT'S a scar with a story!
I wonder if it gets him any chicks?

[kwaut lizard]

01:40 PM on 03/26/2012

Just for perspective:
http://www.news.com.au/features/environment/map-of-shark-movements-on-australia-day-prove-animals-share-the-busy-waterway/story-e6frflp0-1226121711604

[jbmorgen1]

06:30 AM on 03/26/2012

A very large guppy with teeth.....

[chjames]

01:50 PM on 03/26/2012

lol

[jbmorgen1]

04:23 PM on 03/26/2012

Glen Folkard was bloody lucky that he managed got away to safety.

[universe traveler]

04:10 PM on 03/25/2012

Please people, do not go surfing in the ocean. You are taking a big risk. I know, life is full of dangerous activities, driving is surely one of them. But why go out of your way and put yourself in harms way? Certain habitats, were not meant for man to play in. I know you love surfing, but think about those that love you, and their feelings if something like this should happen to you. Also, those who ride on motorbikes, dangerous, very dangerous if speed is your thrill.

[seriouslyfalling]

01:05 AM on 03/26/2012

You do understand that the odds of being bit are almost non existent? It is dangerous to get out of bed in the morning! Heck, it is dangerous to just lay around in bed all day! Life is not meant to be lived wrapped in cotton wool...get out and have a nice adventure!

[universe traveler]

09:46 AM on 03/26/2012

Serious, are you being serious? That is exactly what I said. There dangerous in many things, but some activities, you will agree are much more dangerous than others....Skydiving, Surfing, using a motorbike in wet conditions, or speed while on a motorbike.....Again, I agree with you, we live in a fallen mortal world full of unexpected twists and turns.....Better play safe to the best of our abilities if we want a life with no regrets. By the way.....I love the Ocean....but I realize my limits and that is not my environment so I go in it with much wisdom and caution. I still like you, find life to be the greatest of all adventures.

[kwaut lizard]

01:36 PM on 03/26/2012

Toasters kill far more people annually. What next? Please people don't make toast, your family and friends love you. Toast kills!

Of course the mere idea of getting eaten by a huge mouth, with sharp teeth and fins attached to it draws images of the greatest nightmare. But the truth is that the chances of getting struck by lightning, are over 30 times higher.

You gotta get out more!

[universe traveler]

01:57 PM on 03/26/2012

Kwaut, Really......My question is, why FORCE the hand of destiny?

[bfcg]

02:14 PM on 03/25/2012

I did not realize that "nowhere" was a place that sharks hung out. I shark spat him out and went off in search of something else to eat. There is no way that he out swam the shark to shore.
Written like a comic book story.

[George McAulay]

02:47 PM on 03/25/2012

The shark did follow him to the shore, two nearby surfers did what they could to help.

I understand what you are saying though- he was just extremely lucky the shark got confused by the surfboard

[AWL]

07:06 AM on 03/26/2012

When sharks "attack" humans, it's usually just a bite, and apparently we don't taste so good. Surfboards might be even worse.

[KenMoore]

05:48 PM on 03/26/2012

The reason we don't taste good is low fat content.

[MochasMom]

02:04 PM on 03/25/2012

Horrifying! Omg.

[Kim Auriemma]

01:45 PM on 03/25/2012

i just got a sick feeling in me tummy.

[goldengate99]

01:05 PM on 03/25/2012

Legend

[babyjesussaysso]

12:59 PM on 03/25/2012

Oww

[PrimoPablo]

12:46 PM on 03/25/2012

...and where's the idiotic "I can't wait to get back into the water" statement?

[Ariella Valles]

12:38 PM on 03/25/2012

I found Glen's picture of his leg right after the attack, very graphic even more that the one above, just a warning!!!!!! http://fandaily.info/news/glen-folkard-australian-shark-attack-survivor-graphic-images/

[kwaut lizard]

01:38 PM on 03/26/2012

eeeeeeuuuuuwwwwww gnarly!

[COBETCKNN17]

12:16 PM on 03/25/2012

Seems to me that out of all portions of a human body, the buttocks is the best part to spare.

[tribal sovereignty]

11:38 AM on 03/25/2012

what a badass.