Painful end to fishing trip

A post-surgery photo shared by a friend showing the injured man offering a smile. Photo / Facebook

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

A man was left with a large metal spear piercing through both sides of his face after a horrific incident while on a spearfishing trip in North America.

A photo of the man sitting in hospital with the long rod poking out just near his ear has been doing the rounds online, since being posted to social media this week.

Incredibly lucky to have survived the freak incident, the Daily Mail reports that the man grimaced in pain as he waited to undergo surgery, with blood covering his cheeks and chin.

Should the spear have pierced the man just millimetres higher, the wound could've easily proved fatal.

The picture of the unidentified man with a large metal spear piercing both sides of his head.

Luckily it appears the man came through surgery, with a post surgery photo shared by a friend showing him offering a smile and peace sign.

The amazing photo has proved incredibly popular since being posted to social media, receiving thousands of shares and likes.

Hundreds of commenters have also remarked on the image, amazed that the man survived and saying they've been put them off spearfishing for life.

"This is why I used to be so scared of spear fishing!" one woman wrote.

The incident is believed to have taken place off the Bahamas. Photo / Facebook

"Oh my goodness, that is not how you want to get both ears pierced," another said.

While many commenters seemingly squirmed when looking at the photo, others had a different view.

"At least he knows how a fish feels now!" one lady wrote.

It is believed the incident took place while on a diving trip somewhere off the coast of the Bahamas.