Great white shark jumps into Australian fisherman's boat, injuring him

Terry Selwood was fishing at Evans Head on Saturday when a great white shark came over the motor and on to the floor of his boat. Photo / via Facebook

An Australian fisherman got the shock of his life when a great white shark landed in the bottom of his boat.

The ABC reports that Terry Selwood, 73, was by Evans Head, New South Wales, when the shark jumped into his boat.

"I caught a blur of something coming over the boat ... and the pectoral fin of the shark hit me on the forearm and knocked me down on the ground to my hands and knees," Selwood told the ABC.

The great white shark landed inside Terry Selwood's fishing boat. Photo / via Facebook

"He came right over the top of the motor and then dropped onto the floor. He was 2.7m long and about 200 kilos."

Selwood's boat is only 1.4m by 4.5m.

"For some unknown reason he just launched himself out of the water and he must have come up four feet out of the water to clear my outboard motor and drop straight in the boat.

"There I was on all fours and he's looking at me and I'm looking at him and then he started to do the dance around and shake and I couldn't get out quick enough onto the gunnel," Selwood said.

The fisherman was able to radio for help to local marine rescue volunteers at Evans Head, the ABC reported.

Selwood was rescued and then the boat and shark retrieved.

The fisherman was treated for a swollen arm.

The shark was pulled out with a forklift and the Department of Primary Industries was to perform an autopsy on it to confirm its age and gender, the ABC reported.

Selwood was left thinking over his close encounter.

"I've had 'em come up and brush the side of my boat, I've had a white pointer swim around my boat, I've had 'em take fish off my line, but I've never had one do this," Selwood said.

Great white shark jumps into fisherman's boat, injuring 73-year-old man https://t.co/WL52wDJ1ls pic.twitter.com/vDepsjaHE6

— ABC News (@abcnews) May 28, 2017