UPDATE: A Bolton father, Chris Murra, 54, fought off a four-foot-long Great White shark during a treacherous open water swimming challenge in Los Angeles’ Catalina Channel on December 30, 2025. The harrowing encounter unfolded as he attempted to swim 20 miles in darkness, fulfilling a personal challenge that turned into a nightmare.
Just before he embarked on his swim, his daughter, Eleanor Murra, had humorously warned him with a card stating, “don’t get eaten by a shark.” But as he swam in pitch-black waters, Chris felt a sudden bite on his hand. He recounted, “I remember shouting ‘ow’ because it hurt, and then I remember a bit of a wrestle with it.”
The initial attack took a chunk of flesh from his hand, but the nightmare escalated when the shark clamped onto his foot. “I had to kick it with my other foot,” Chris stated, reflecting on the terrifying moment. The support crew, initially unaware of the danger, were alerted when the shark reappeared, drawn by the commotion.
“The ship shone a light, illuminating the water, and then the shark was coming back for its dessert,” Chris described. In a desperate bid for survival, he managed to fend off the predator before scrambling onto the support vessel. Despite the close call, Chris maintained a surprisingly calm perspective. “I don’t see it as being nearly killed. I just think it just had a bit of a nibble on my foot and my hand,” he said.
Following the attack, Chris was rushed to the hospital by the LA fire department. He received prompt medical attention for severe lacerations sustained during the ordeal. “I was treated on board the support boat and then taken to shore and transferred to hospital. Swim abandoned. Stitches and glue,” he explained.
The incident left his family stunned, especially when coach Tim Denyer called to inform them that Chris was safe despite the shocking circumstances. Eleanor expressed her anxiety over her father’s experience, highlighting the emotional toll on the family.
Despite this traumatic event, Chris remains undeterred in his love for open water swimming. “The odds of it happening are very small. I think one in 11 million. So I wouldn’t want to put anybody off swimming in the sea,” he emphasized. He plans to “block out” the incident and continue pursuing his passion for swimming.
This extraordinary encounter serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers that can lurk in the open water. As news of Chris’s ordeal spreads, it raises awareness about the potential risks faced by swimmers and the need for vigilance in the ocean.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
