A 20-year-old surfer from the United States of America was attacked by a great white shark and according to the surfer’s mother, the leg of their son looks like hamburger meat.

Cole Herrington was bitten while he had his legs dangling off his surfboard.

According to reports the incident happened in Oregon, USA.

The shark reportedly munched into his board and his lower left leg.

The shark then dragged him beneath the water before letting him go.

The incident happened on Sunday of this month at The Cove, south of the city of Seaside.

The horrible attack left the 20-year-old with a cut that runs from his little toe to his heel and another bite mark on his calf.

Amy Powell, the mother of Cole, said that the injuries her son has looks like hamburger meat.

The mother added:

It looks like hamburger meat. I think he’s still in shock. Cole said he didn’t even see the shark. All of a sudden, he was under the water. All of a sudden, the adrenaline kicked in. He doesn’t remember much of it.

The surfer was due to have surgery at a hospital in Portland, Oregon, this week.

The 20-year-old is also reportedly suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A shark expert said that the surfer is lucky to be alive.

Cole was with 2 other friends when the incident happened on Sunday of this week.

Peter Klimley, who is a former University of California, professor, released a statement about the unfortunate incident.

The statement reads:

That fella has a lot to be thankful for. If a shark really wanted to consume him, it could have. If they don’t want to release something, they don’t have to. This surfer was small and helpless in the mouth of the shark. The shark made a decision it didn’t want to eat him and let him go.

Experts believe that the great white shark was attracted by the movement of the surfer’s surfboard.

After realizing that the surfer was not a seal, the shark released the man.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Cole and his family, may he recover from his injuries fast.