GoPro captures diver's frightening encounter with great white shark off Santa Barbara coast

SANTA BARBARA, CA (KTRK) -- An up-close video shows a diver's frightening encounter with a shark just off the Santa Barbara coast.

Tyler McQuillen had his GoPro camera attached to his spear gun as he swam out from the beach. He soon felt a sudden tug and then saw one of his flippers go right past him.

The 22-year-old quickly realized he had just been bitten by a shark. McQuillen retrieved his spear gun and within moments, the shark came at him again.

After a few more moments, the shark came into view once more. That's when the diver noticed it was a great white.

McQuillen jabbed it with his spear gun and then quickly retreated from the scene.

The young swimmer posted a photo to social media, which shows the bite mark across two of his toes.

He said the experience was terrifying, but when he heals, he plans to go into the ocean again.

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