The most important wave he'll ever catch: Surfer frantically paddles to escape the jaws of a huge shark as it comes for him in the pristine waters off Western Australia

Andy Johnston was out with a small group of surfers at West Beach near Esperance, south-east of Perth, on September 21 when people ashore spotted the dark shadow looming. Other surfers managed to clear the water after people started to honk their car horns to warn of the approaching shark, but Mr Johnston opted to stay put. The photos showing just how close Mr Johnston came only emerged on Thursday.