Veteran Florida surfer Charlie Hajek was in grave danger after being attacked by a shark on Sunday morning.

Hajek said he accidentally stepped on a shark while surfing. WESH 2 News.

“I thought about it for a second and then all of a sudden I got bitten,” he told the news outlet, “on the bottom of my foot and on the outside of my ankle.”

Despite the pain, the experienced surfer quickly wrapped his leg with his surfboard leash, created a makeshift tourniquet and drove himself to hospital.

Staff who arrived at the hospital were amazed that Hajek had managed to drive to the hospital after being attacked by a shark. (Related article: A shark reportedly attacks four people, biting off a woman's calf. Video shows the bloody aftermath)

“Did you drive it yourself?” WESH 2 reporter Pamela Comb asked.

“I know, that's what they told me at the hospital,” Hayek replied.

Hajek is the owner of the Gnarly Charley Surf Series.

Despite the injury, Hajek's spirits are high, and in an interview with WESH 2 he admitted that the biggest disappointment was seeing his surfing streak of 148 days come to an end.

“I can't wait to swim again,” Hajek told reporters. After undergoing stitches, Hajek is expected to make a full recovery and plans to get back in the water as soon as his wounds are healed.

Volusia County, Florida, has long been known as a hot spot for shark activity. Daytona Beach News JournalHowever, shark encounters in this region are rarely fatal.