Blue Planet 2 cameraman reveals close shave with humpback whale during filming

A cameraman on Blue Planet 2 has revealed how he narrowly avoided being attacked by a humpback whale while filming scenes for the epic BBC documentary.

Patrick Dykstra was filming killer whales in the icy Norwegian sea last year when the terrifying close shave occurred.

The 38-year-old documentarian was recording footage of the orcas using their tails to stun herring when the humpback whale suddenly occurred.

After launching upwards, the humpback is seen landing in the water only inches from Patrick, before it appears to lunge at him.

But Patrick believes that the creature was actually attempting to avoid colliding with him, and says that the close encounter was the greatest moment of his life.

“The whale swerved to avoid hitting me. It’s fascinating how something so big and moving so fast could avoid me”, he told The Sun.

“They’re incredibly intelligent creatures that know exactly where they are. It was the greatest moment of my life. It was exciting to be so close to something big.”

The footage was not included in Blue Planet 2, which made its debut on TV screens last week.

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It’s already received a glowing reaction from viewers who say that it is justification for the TV license fee.

Viewers were captivated as Sir David, 91, reflected on the changing ocean system in an instalment featuring surfing dolphins, false killer whales and a walrus mother with newborn calves.

One wrote on Twitter: “Attenborough is THE human voice of nature at its most spectacular. Pure wide eyed wonderment.”