shark attack
A well-known restorative dentist in Central Texas, who also has a teaching center in Dallas, is recovering after being attacked by a shark Saturday morning while vacationing with his family in the Bahamas.

Dr. Steve Cutbirth, of Waco, was free diving and spear fishing with his son-in-law and two guides when the attack happened.

In a phone interview, Cutbirth said he had just speared a 10-pound fish and was swimming the fish to the boat when the incident happened.

"Out of nowhere, I felt like I was hit by a freight train in the head," Cutbirth said.

When Cutbirth turned around, he saw the white underside of 6-feet-long bull shark's mouth.

"He kept hitting me, so I started knocking him off with my arm," Cutbirth said. "He finally took off with the fish."

The shark knocked off Cutbirth's mask, before biting him in the face and right leg.

He didn't realize the severity of his injury until climbing into the boat and seeing blood everywhere.

"I am certain he was going after the fish and I was in the way," Cutbirth said.

The dentist was rushed to a local clinic in the Bahamas where he was treated and released.

The attack happened on the first day of Cutbirth's vacation, but he says he has no plans of returning home early.

"I can't go into the water anymore. So I guess I'll get to play with my 5-year-old granddaughter all week," Cutbirth said with a chuckle.

Cutbirth has been free diving in the same spot in the Bahamas for 25 years, and has never had a problem before.