A fisherman at Santa Monica Pier was pulled into the ocean by a small shark before a frantic rescue effort unfolded in front of stunned onlookers.
The wild incident was captured on video and later shared by the Instagram account @california.local.
In the clip, the man can be seen dangling from a rope beside the pier as several people, believed to be members of his family, try to pull him back to safety.
Just as he reaches the railing, he loses his grip and falls back into the water, sending another wave of panic through the crowd.
He was eventually rescued.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
According to the caption posted with the video, the fisherman had hooked a juvenile shark that was too heavy for him to control.
“This guy caught a juvenile shark with his fishing pole,” the caption read. “Whatever he caught was too heavy and was pulling the line under the pier.”
Santa Monica Pier has been a popular fishing destination for more than a century, attracting both casual anglers and experienced fishermen.
No fishing license is required for people casting lines directly from the pier, which helps explain why the area is often crowded with fishermen throughout the day.
Anyone fishing from the nearby beach, however, must have a valid license from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Health officials have also repeatedly warned people against eating certain fish caught near the pier because some species have been exposed to elevated levels of mercury and PCBs.
Those industrial chemicals have been linked to cancer, developmental problems and other serious health concerns.
The dramatic video quickly drew attention online, but the fisherman’s identity and the exact extent of any injuries were not immediately known.
