A 23-year-old surfer was attacked by a shark at North Shore Beach, approximately 400 kilometers north of Sydney, sustaining serious leg injuries, according to reports by ABC News citing first responders. This incident marks the third shark attack in Australia this month.
A Severe Shark Attack
Fellow surfers rushed to aid the victim, using makeshift tourniquets to stem the bleeding until emergency services arrived, as detailed in a Facebook post by the local Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS). The lifeguards described the incident as a "severe shark attack."
Emergency crews responded promptly with multiple ambulances and a helicopter. The victim, while critically injured, is reportedly in stable condition and not facing life-threatening injuries.
"I’m shocked. Many people swim in this area," a local resident told ABC.
The exact species of the shark involved in the attack has not been confirmed. However, the SharkSmart monitoring system reported a sighting of a Great White Shark near Port Macquarie earlier in the day. Known as one of the most dangerous predatory fish, the Great White's presence has prompted local authorities to close nearby beaches for at least 24 hours.
Recent Surge in Shark Attacks in Australia
Just last week, another surfer was bitten on the leg only a few kilometers from Perth's city center on the west coast. Medical professionals stitched the wound and removed a shark tooth from the surfer's leg.
Two weeks ago, a spearfisherman was attacked by a shark near Coral Bay, around 1100 kilometers north of Perth. Fortunately, the injuries were not life-threatening.
Official statistics indicate that last year there were around a dozen shark attacks in Australia, resulting in injuries, with four fatal incidents. So far this year, there have already been over half a dozen attacks, although none have been fatal.
