A massive great white shark destroys the protective cage of a diver, who is forced to swim to safety in terrifying footage.

The video shows expert diver Jimi Partington climbing into the transparent cage as the apex predator swims nearby among a school of fish.

After climbing up, Jimi peers into the crystal clear waters and watches the curious 16-foot shark come closer and closer on several occasions.

On his last run, the shark suddenly accelerates and crashes into the perspex box, throwing the diver into the sea.

In a shocking video, shot in 2020, he tries several times to jump back up before giving up and frantically swimming towards a nearby boat.

The footage was shared as part of Discovery's Shark Week.

Producer/Director Jeff Kurr said, “Great White Open Ocean is a film that follows the story of a friend of mine, an expert shark diver named Jimi Partington.

"He actually survived being hit from below by a 16ft great white shark.

"We were able to capture this encounter on film, and it is probably the most spectacular sequence in Shark Week history.

“It's also miraculous, because when Jimi got hit by the shark, he didn't get a scratch.

“He had to swim for his life back to the boat, but he was fine. But there's so much more to this movie than just that encounter."

Unbelievably despite the near miss, Jimi then jumps into the water once more.

One impressed viewer said of the images: "This isn't doing much to convince me we're not on the menu."

Jimi said on Instagram: “It's been three years in the making and I can't wait for you all to see my amazing journey including the closest I've ever been to a Great White Shark!

“Thank you again to everyone who helped me get here after everything that has happened, all my friends and family have been incredibly supportive and for that I am so grateful.”

Earlier this month, a fisherman was left behind when a 14-foot shark swam alongside his boat off the UK coast.