Described as a “nightmare” situation, a 55-year-old Canadian was attacked by a 7-foot bull shark while vacationing in Turks and Caicos.

A Canadian woman “attempted to engage with the animal from the shallows in an attempt to take photographs,” the territory’s environmental department said.

The woman, 55, was enjoying a trip to Turks and Caicos last Friday morning when the horrific incident took place just a few yards from the shore.