The whale and the trainer were about to perform a stunt in Shamu Stadium when the whale grabbed the trainer’s foot and pulled him underwater.

The attack was captured on tape by an audience member.

The animal then resurfaced and swam around the tank with the trainer’s foot still in his mouth before diving again.

The whale eventually released its grip on the man and he swam to safety.

SeaWorld officials said the trainer has worked with this whale for the past 12 years without a serious problem.

“She has not done this particular unwanted behavior before to this extent,” said Mike Scarpuzzi, SeaWorld’s vice president of zoology.

Witness Jan Heffley said she wanted someone to jump in and save the trainer. “I didn’t want my children witnessing somebody dying,” she said.

The trainer remained hospitalized Thursday in good condition.

Source: http://www.nbc5i.com/