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A man reportedly shot himself through the head with a spear gun while scuba diving.

Connie Hallowell, from Umkomaas, South Africa, miraculously avoided being seriously injured in the accident, despite the dart narrowly missing his brain and eyes.

He was picking up fishing sinkers near Scottburgh Beach, south of Durban, when the accident happened on August 31.

The pastor rushed back to the beach and received help from locals, with one Good Samaritan shortening the metal projectile with an angle grinder.

Lifeguards also cared for the man before paramedics airlifted him to Kingsway Hospital in Durban.

He is currently on the mend in St Anne’s Hospital, in Pietermaritzburg, and has featured in a South Coast Herald video thanking well-wishers for their support.

In the video, Mr Hallowell said: "Hi guys, thanks for all the prayers really appreciate it.

"I'm doing very, very well... I'm good, I'm recovering, looking forward to seeing you guys soon. God bless, bye."

Mr Hallowell still has vision in both eyes, despite the spear passing just behind his eyeballs.

It is not the first time a freak accident involving a spear gun has taken place.

In 2016, an angler was filmed with a dart impaled through his neck.

The man, thought to be Russian Angler Baatr Dalantaev, was rushed to hospital with the spike protruding from the flesh between his shoulder and his jaw.

In the film, Mr Dalantaev is still in his wetsuit as he is examined by a doctor.

He doesn't appear to disturbed by his terrible wound - but could be in some form of shock.