Pictures show surfer's near-death encounter as he stayed in the water and was followed by a massive shark

A surfer's near-death encounter with a massive shark has been revealed in new pictures that show he was followed by the animal after he failed to return to shore.

Despite drivers tooting on car horns to warn surfers of the three metre white pointer, lone surfer Andy Johnston stayed in the water and was approached by the animal.

Most surfers scrambled onto the reef, as terrified onlookers watched on.Mr Johnston told the Esperance Express his casual approach was due adrenalin.

The incident happened on West Beach near Esperance, south-east of Perth, Australia on September 21, but the photos only emerged yesterday.

If you're going to get chomped then you're going to get chomped - there's nothing you can do about it. They're doing their thing and we're doing our thing.

Mr Johnston said: "I probably have a higher risk of breaking my neck on that reef than the shark causing me harm."I was focused on what was right there and what was going on."If you're going to say a shark is a threat every time you see one, well that's not true."

Two weeks later, on October 2, Sean Pollard, 23, was attacked at nearby Wylie Bay, east of Esperance.

Mr Pollard lost his left forearm when he was mauled while surfing, and had to be dragged from the water.

Towels were wrapped around Mr Pollard's bleeding injuries, and was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital.

Days later, two great white sharks were caught and killed by Western Australia's Department of Fisheries.