'I thought I was going to die': Brave 10-year-old Aussie mauled by a shark while enjoying a snorkelling trip relives the horrific moment he was charged three times by the killer predator

Young shark survivor recalls harrowing encounter with two-metre bronze whaler
Jackson Bartlett, 10, attacked while swimming on WA north-west coast Friday
Thought he was going to die but says it won't keep him out of the water

By Kylie Stevens For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 14:52 BST, 13 June 2021 | Updated: 14:59 BST, 13 June 2021

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A brave youngster has recalled the horrifying moment he feared for his life after he was mauled by a shark while swimming at a popular beach in Western Australia.

Jackson Bartlett, 10, was airlifted to Perth Children's Hospital after he was bitten by a two-metre bronze whaler shark while swimming at Five Finger Reef on Friday.

The Sydney boy had been spearfishing with his dad while holidaying at the popular snorkelling spot 1,000km north of Perth when he noticed a dark shadow' which 'came closer and got faster and faster' before the predator attacked.

He is recovering well after undergoing surgery as he recalled his terrifying ordeal from his hospital bed.

Jackson Bartlett still managed a brave smile shortly after being attacked by a shark on Friday as he was airlifted to Perth

'I thought I was going to die because it was really scary,' Jackson said.

'Even though it was just my leg I thought I was gonna lose a lot of blood but I didn't lose that much blood.'

Jackson had spent the last nine months travelling with his family on a road trip across Australia.

He originally thought he'd spotted a dugong in the water and kept on swimming.

The shark lunged at Jackson twice before attacking his right foot on the third attempt.

'I thought it might have been a reefy but then it tried to bite me, and then it went for me, missed and got one of my flippers and my leg,' he told The West Australian.

Jackson Bartlett (pictured) recalled his terrifying encounter two days later as he recovered in Perth Children's Hospital

'And then after that... it swam right past me. I caught up to dad and I said "shark" and then he was looking at it and then I showed him my big sore. I said "it bit me" and then dad was yelling "help".

Jackson was pulled to shore by local tour guide Warwick 'Wokka' Coles, 48, where he was treated by paramedics before he was airlifted to Perth by the Royal Flying Doctors Service.

But the terrifying ordeal hasn't destroyed plucky Jackson's love of the ocean and he said he looks forward to getting back into the water as soon as he can.

'I still like sharks but I just don't want to swim too close to big ones like that,' Jackson said.

Jackson Bartlett (pictured) is a keen snorkeller and hopes to get back into the water soon

His recollection of the ordeal comes after Mr Coles described how he dragged the youngster to safety while Jackson's father stood guard with his spear gun to make sure the shark didn't attack again.

'It wasn't gushing, but there was enough for it to leave a trail of blood behind as I dragged him into the shallows,' Mr Coles told the publication.

'He thought he was just pointing out the shark to him, but then he yelled "it bit me".

'It was a pretty big open wound, open quite wide.'

Warwick 'Wokka' Coles (pictured) swam out to Jackson after hearing his father's calls for help

Mr Coles praised Jackson on how calm he was while helping him to safety.

'When this sort of thing happens, even if it doesn't end up being that serious, you think about what could've happened,' he said.

The beach at Five Finger Reef was closed for 24 hours following the shark attack.

The tourist hotspot is popular for snorkelling and only accessible by four-wheel-drive vehicles.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said a bronze whaler shark was seen about 75m off the coast in the area about 10 minutes after the boy was injured.

A spear fisherman was bitten at the same spot in March year but escaped when he punched the shark.