Diver survives tiger shark attack by fending off 12ft-beast with camera

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Attack: Diver Russell Easton has a lucky escape as his camera saves him from attack by a tiger shark

Conservationist Russell Easton was photographing the 12ft beast in the Bahamas when he got the close-up he was not expecting.

The professional underwater photographer and diver says: 'I was looking through the view finder of the camera when I suddenly saw this huge mouth and teeth.

The 42-year-old professional underwater photographer and diver says: 'I was looking through the view finder of the camera when I suddenly saw this huge mouth and teeth.

'It is only because of the camera I was not bitten. Sharks bite because that is how they find out what something is - they use their mouth as we use our hands - and it had its mouth wide open, about to bite me.

“In that moment I managed to get one shot of the inside of its mouth. Thankfully sharks are attracted to cameras and bit that instead, giving me vital seconds to swim away.'

He says: 'I don't think he was attacking me. He was just curious and wanted to know what I was so was going to take a nibble to find out.

The problem is a tiger shark's mouth is so large and it's teeth so sharp that if a shark takes a nibble out of you, the bite is so huge it is often fatal.'

Despite the close call the seasoned diver is due return to Cat Island, Bahamas to photograph sharks and is looking for a sponsor.

In August last year shark experts in the Seychelles claimed a tiger shark may have been responsible for the death of British newlywed Ian Redmond, who was killed in front of his wife on their honeymoon.

The couple, from Lancashire, were enjoying a dream honeymoon when 30-year-old IT consultant Mr Redmond went snorkelling and was killed.

He and his wife Gemma had been married for just 10 days when the attack took place.

It was the second shark attack in the area in a matter of weeks following the death of French holidaymaker Nicolas Virolle.

Snappy: Russell Easton is saved by his camera equipment as the tiger shark goes in for the kill

Close call: The snap caught by Mr Easton as he tried to fend the shark off with camera

Escape: The tiger shark gives up the chase allowing this daring diver to make his lucky escape

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