A California man attacked by otters said it was the most terrifying experience of his life.

The encounter occurred in September at Serene Lakes in Placer County, just northwest of Lake Tahoe. Matt Leffers, who has gone swimming there for 30 years, left his family cabin for a dip.

The lake became anything but serene, however, when two otters popped up and tore into him.

I felt something bite my calf, Leffers told KCRA 3 on Thursday . Within seconds, I was bit again. And then I started swimming fast but there was the otter, popped up right in front of me and then I was bit again.

Leffers, who said he was bitten at least a dozen times by the carnivorous mammals, was reportedly rescued via paddleboat by his wife. She immediately transported Leffers to a local hospital, where doctors discovered around 40 puncture wounds on his body.

These things were so aggressive that, literally, I felt like they wanted to kill me, Leffers, who described the moment as a life-and-death situation, told the outlet. It is by far the most terrifying experience Ive ever had in my life. Nothing even comes close.