A pilot was startled when he came face to face with a flying shark as he prepared to land a passenger jet at Christchurch in New Zealand.
The shark, which was in fact a 4ft remote-controlled helium filled balloon, had flown into the flightpath about six miles from Christchurch airport. Its altitude is unclear.
The pilot radioed air traffic control to report his Boxing Day sighting, but no other pilots have reported seeing anything suspicious.
The shark was believed to an Air Swimmer, which was this year's must-have Christmas gift in New Zealand. Invented by a 19-year-old Stanford university student, it can fly up to 15m by remote control – but it is designed only to be used indoors.
There have been several reports of Air Swimmer sharks being blown away by the wind when used outside.
By Linsey McNeill
