A 57-year-old man was killed by a large shark while surfing at a popular beach in northern Sydney on Saturday, prompting a string of beach closures, Australian authorities confirmed.
The experienced local surfer, who was in the water with five or six friends, was attacked off the coast between Long Reef and Dee Why beaches. New South Wales Police said the man lost “a number of limbs” during the mauling.
NSW Police Superintendent John Duncan said the man and his board disappeared underwater during the attack.
“The body was found floating in the surf,” Duncan told reporters. “Unfortunately, by that time, we understood he had probably lost a lot of blood, and attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.”
Other surfers witnessed the aftermath and helped bring him to shore. His surfboard was found broken in half.
Authorities believe a large shark was responsible for the attack. Experts will examine the man’s injuries and damaged board to identify the species involved, though most serious shark bites in Australia typically involve great whites, tiger sharks, or bull sharks.
Local media showed police and emergency services gathered on the beach, with ambulances stationed nearby.
In response, beaches from Manly to Narrabeen have been closed for at least 24 hours. Surf Life Saving NSW has also cancelled all water-based activities and patrols in the area.
“For now, please remain clear of the water and follow the directions of lifeguards and lifesavers,” said Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steven Pearce. “Our deepest condolences go to the family of the man involved in this terrible tragedy.”
Drones and lifesavers on jetskis are now patrolling the area for further shark activity.
It is the first fatal shark attack in Sydney since 2022, when 35-year-old British diving instructor Simon Nellist was killed at Little Bay. Before that, the last deadly shark attack in the city occurred in 1963.
An unnamed witness told The Daily Telegraph he saw several surfers bring the man to shore.
“It looked like a significant part of his lower half had been attacked,” he said. “There was a surf lifesaving guy waving a red flag. I didn’t know what it was at first, but figured I should probably get out of the water.”
Australia’s most recent deadly shark encounter occurred in March, when a surfer was killed off Wharton Beach in remote Western Australia.
Since 1791, Australia has recorded more than 1,280 shark incidents, including over 250 fatal attacks, according to national data.
AFP
