Kirra-Belle Olsson was attacked by a shark while surfing off the Australian coast on Friday morning, The Associated Press reports.
Olsson told the Australian Broadcasting Group she originally thought the shark was just a surfer friend playing a prank, but the 13-year old quickly realized this was not the case.
“It just swung me around and tried to pull me under and I saw the tail and … I really didn’t know what to do so I just started screaming,” she said.
Olsson received several lacerations and puncture wounds on her calf and ankle, but there does not appear to be any limb-threatening damage. She is recovering at Gosford Hospital, north of Sydney.
Australian waters are known for their large shark populations, and while Australia only averages two fatal shark attacks per year, this attack marks the second serious incident in as many weeks.
On Oct. 2, a 23-year old surfer lost both hands and his right arm after being savaged by 13-foot Great White off the coast of Western Australia.
This year’s weather has been ideal for hangin’ ten at Australian beaches, and as more and more surfers paddle out, the risk of shark attacks will only increase.