UPDATE: A Bolton father, Chris Murra, 54, heroically fought off a four-foot-long Great White shark during a chilling swimming challenge in the Catalina Channel near Los Angeles on December 30, 2025. The incident unfolded at approximately 3:00 AM as he attempted a grueling 20-mile open water swim.
The shocking attack began shortly after Chris set off with a group of swimmers. Just hours before his departure, his daughter, Eleanor Murra, had playfully warned him with a card that read “don’t get eaten by a shark.” In the darkness of the early morning, Chris was unaware of the predator lurking beneath the surface until he felt the sharp teeth of the shark sink into his hand.
“I remember shouting ‘ow’ because it hurt,” Chris recounted. Initially, the support crew thought he was merely reacting to a jellyfish sting. However, the situation escalated as the shark returned, clamping down on his foot. “The only thing I could think of was to kick it with my other foot,” he said, describing the harrowing moment.
As a support vessel illuminated the water with a light, Chris was horrified to see the shark returning for another bite, calling it a terrifying moment. “That illuminated all of the water and then the shark was coming back for its dessert,” he recalled. Despite the dire circumstances, Chris managed to fend off the creature and scrambled into the safety of the boat, but not before sustaining severe lacerations to his hand and foot.
Chris was swiftly treated on board the support vessel before being transported to shore by the LA fire department and taken to the hospital. “Swim abandoned. Stitches and glue,” he explained, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
The shocking news left his family stunned, especially when coach Tim Denyer informed them about the attack while reassuring them that Chris was alright. Despite the trauma of the experience, Chris remains undeterred in his passion for open water swimming. “The odds of it happening are very small. I think one in 11 million,” he stated. He aims to “block out” the incident and encourages others not to shy away from swimming in the sea.
The attack has sparked conversations about the dangers of open water swimming and the natural fears that many hold regarding deep water. Chris’s resilient outlook serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the ocean and the importance of safety while enjoying its vastness.
As details continue to emerge from this developing story, many are left wondering about the safety measures in place for open water challenges and the prevalence of shark encounters in popular swimming locations.
