Gerard Butler escapes death while filming surfing stunt

Gerard Butler escaped death in a surfing stunt while shooting his new movie in California, according to reports.

The 42-year-old actor was rushed to hospital after he was trapped underwater after being hit by a succession of waves.u00a0The '300' star has been shooting 'Of Men and Mavericks' based on the true life story of a tragic young surfer Jay Moriarty.

Butler has been training all summer on the coast to recover the six-pack physique he developed for '300'. The accident happened at Maverick's, the infamous Northern California surf spot south of San Fransisco.

Butler who plays the role of champion surfer Rick "Frosty" Henson, was caught in a 12ft swell when he was hit by a freak wave on Sunday.u00a0He was pulled from the water onto a jet ski and then brought to shore and was taken to a nearby hospital by ambulance.

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"Butler was held down for a solid two-waves and took four or five more waves on the head," the Mirror quoted eye witness surfer Frank Quirarte as saying.u00a0"He was then washed through the rocks on the inside before he was finally able to be plucked out.

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"Even on small days the inside at Maverick's can push 10ft plus and really tear you up.u00a0"When they brought Butler in he had that 100-yard stare that surfers get after a two-wave hold [down] or near death experience.

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"After almost 20 years at Mavericks I've seen a lot of it, but at least he was standing on his own two legs.

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"He was then carted away in a waiting ambulance," he added.u00a0There has been no statement on his condition as yet.

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