KURE BEACH, N.C. (WECT) – Mark Hosley grew up surfing on the North Carolina coast, but he came dangerously close to losing his life out on the waves 25 years ago.

“I went to just get up on a wave and just the board pearls and I came down, got tangled up with the board, and ended up having the [surfboard] fin stick in my leg and break off,” Hosley said. ”I was still in the water and I looked down and the waters ebbing back and it just opened up my leg. You could have stuck your hand in it. It was a cut that was five, six inches deep.”

Hosley flagged down a group of people nearby, after realizing how serious his injury was.

“I think he thought I got bit by a shark,” Hosley said about the man who reached him first.

He was rushed to the hospital, where he spent three days getting stitched up and recovering.

The doctor’s like ‘Wow, you’re lucky,’” Hosley said. “And first off, I was like ‘if I was lucky, I’d still be out there surfing.’ I asked him how close I was to the artery and he just moved a little bit of skin over and you can see my artery right down my leg and I was like, ‘Oh glad I didn’t hit that’ because there’s no way I would even make it in from the surf.”

Hosley didn’t take much time off from surfing. To this day, he still makes a point to surf two to three times a week.

He says what happened 25 years ago isn’t a memory he doesn’t relive often, but he was reminded of it a week ago. Last Friday, Aug. 23, Kure Beach Police announced they had opened up an investigation after a man washed up unconscious on the beach and died. Later, they revealed that 39-year-old Bryan Yurecka of Wilmington died because of an injury he sustained while surfing.

WECT has tried to confirm what the specific injury was that killed Yurecka but has not heard back from Kure Beach Police or Ocean Rescue. Several people in the community told us the victim’s artery was cut by a surfboard fin.

“It brought back the same memories because I can see how I can happen,” Hosley said. “It broke my heart and it broke my heart for the family.”

Mitchell McDowell, a surf instructor with Locals Guide to Surfing, said he sees injuries often. However, there are things surfers can do to set them up for a safe experience before hitting the waves.

“Knowing the weather and tides is always important,” McDowell said. “If you’re not sure about that, you can check with the local lifeguard who can teach you about the tides specifically. Just know your limits. If you get to the beach, analyze the beach. Ask a local where the best spot is to paddle out and check out the rip current [risk].”

McDowell also said it is always safer to surf with another friend or a group. If you do go out by yourself, make sure you tell friends and family about your plans. If you’re a beginner, he said it’s always a good idea to try out a surf lesson, class, or camp to make sure you’re as informed as possible before heading out in the water.

McDowell says even though this specific situation that happened on Kure Beach sounds scary, a deadly surfing injury is rare. He encourages people to still try surfing if they have an interest in it.

“I mean with any sport comes injuries,” McDowell said. “I wouldn’t say you should not try surfing because of this. I love it. It’s such a passionate sport. Just to be out there — there’s nothing like surfing really. You’re out there with the ocean.”

Hosley said he feels the same way. Despite the risks, he has no plans of hanging up his board anytime soon.

“When you’re in the ocean and your heart rate slows down a little bit, it’s a zen moment in the water,” Hosley said. I’m never gonna [quit], as many sharks and as many accidents as I’ve seen. I’m 59 years old and still doing it. I won’t stop anytime soon.”

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