The image of a giant open-mouthed shark coming towards you in the open water may seem like a scene out of a horror movie, but for Chris Coates it was a reality.

The diver experienced the heart-stopping moment in the Atlantic Ocean when an enormous whale shark crashed into him at full force.

Mr Coates was exploring the deep Atlantic water with a friend, who he was filming as part of a spearfishing adventure movie, when the frightening incident occurred.

Collision: There is a loud thud as the whale shark collides with Mr Coates about 16 seconds into the video

During the opening moments of the footage, the two divers are too busy looking at what is in front of them and by the time they see the world's largest fish, it is too late for them to avoid a collision.

Mr Coates' diving colleague does manage to see the whale shark 14 seconds into the footage, but by then, they don't have enough time to get out of the way.

The fish comes from behind the diver so he gets a shock as well as a major bang when the huge shark comes into view.

Whale sharks can grow to about 9.7 metres (31.82 ft)

Swimming away: Mr Coates' diving colleague tries to get out of the way of the whale shark after the incident

Enormous: An average whale shark is estimated to be approximately 9.7 metres (31.82 ft)

Up close: Mr Coates' colleague then swims with the whale shark for a few moments

A shocked Mr Coates can be heard roaring in terror as he watches the open-jaw of the whale shark coming towards him ... and moments later there is a thundering impact as the whale shark collides with him.

Luckily for him whale sharks are only known to eat small fish and plankton and there have been no recorded incidents where they have purposely injured or killed a human.

Neither of the men sustained any injuries and towards the end of the footage they appear to be laughing at their near-miss.

Mouth: Mr Coates the view of the whale shark's mouth as he comes incredibly close to him

Diving: Mr Coates films his colleague before the drama with the whale shark occurs

Mr Coates sustained the impact to his lower torso and he was also struck on his head by the shark's dorsal fin.