Forgotten photographer in Mick Fanning shark ordeal speaks out

Mick Fanning attacked by a shark during the Final of the JBay Open. Photo / Supplied

A third person in the water during the shark attack on champion surfer Mick Fanning in South Africa last weekend has spoken about the terrifying ordeal.

Surf photographer Kelly Cestari was in the water and only 150 metres away when Fanning was being attacked, Nine News reported.

"I saw the initial splash and Mick spun around and then I saw the fin slap at him," Cestari told the WSL website.

"It took a couple of seconds for my brain to engage and it was like 'okay what is on?'.

"I actually hung around for like maybe a minute thinking the jetskis would come back to me."

"As Giggs, the beach commentator, started screaming 'Get to Mick!' I think I spun around to the boat and yelled, 'Go get Mick, go get Mick!'.

The safety boats and jetskis sped off to pick up Fanning and Wilson and Cestari was left to fend for himself.

"I actually hung around for like maybe a minute thinking the jetskis would come back to me. Once I realised they were going in, it was time for me to swim in," Cestari said.

The photographer then had to swim into the shore by himself, Nine News reported.

"By the time I got to shore I was thinking, 'I'm okay, I'm safe, I'm fine."

"Thankfully everyone else was as well."