(TURKEY) – Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…

A Russian tourist claims she fought for her life after she was bitten in the backside by a giant loggerhead turtle and nearly drowned, according to reports.

Lidia Bazarova, 64, was taking a dip at Antalya beach resort Güzeolaba near Turkey, around 10 to 20 feet close to shore.

“I was really close to shore when I just turned onto my back,” the woman told East2West news. ‘Then something grabbed my backside.”

A rabid turtle punctured its’ beak into the woman’s backside, attempting to drag her under the water.

“I was beating about the water with my arms, I was drowning,” Bazarova recounted of the attack. “The creature let me go only to grab me with an even stronger bite.”

A lifeguard was able to spot the woman in distress and came to her aid.

Mustafa Sari, the hero lifeguard, was reportedly bitten by the giant turtle on his shoulder.

Bazaroza experienced injuries on her hip, legs, fingers, and buttocks, according to sources.