Nine-year-old attacked by large eel

Billie Buchanan was bitten by an eel while swimming in a river. Photo / Supplied

A 9-year-old has suffered injuries after being attacked by an eel.

Billie Buchanan was left bruised and bleeding after the attack in Kopuaranga Stream in Mauriceville, Wairarapa, when the large eel clamped its jaws on to her thigh.

Eel expert Joe Potangaroa said eels had rows of sharp, inward-sloping teeth, and it would have sucked inward as it clamped on. However, "it's not that they don't like people, it's not like Jaws or anything."