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| Search resumes for man dragged overboard near Newcastle during fishing competition | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| People on board the boat said a shark was involved in the man being lost overboard, but another fisher disputed the account | |
| A multi-agency search resumed on Monday for a man reported to have been taken by a shark after falling off a boat near Newcastle. | |
| However another game fisherman has denied a shark was involved and said the man was dragged overboard in a freak accident while fishing. | |
| Experienced game fisherman Paul Barning fell overboard while competing in a fishing competition around 1pm on Sunday, 55km off the coast of Newcastle, NSW police said in a statement. | |
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| NSW ambulance said marine rescue was informed via marine radio that a person had fallen into the water and was taken by a shark. | |
| A spokesperson said other people on board the boat were assessed but did not require treatment. | A spokesperson said other people on board the boat were assessed but did not require treatment. |
| Those on board also reported a shark was involved, the spokesperson said. | Those on board also reported a shark was involved, the spokesperson said. |
| Crews from the water police, marine rescue and the Lifesaver helicopter responded to the incident on Sunday. | Crews from the water police, marine rescue and the Lifesaver helicopter responded to the incident on Sunday. |
| The NSW Game Fishing Association president, Steve Lamond, who said he had known Barning for 20 years, described the incident as a freak accident. | |
| “He was basically dragged overboard, underwater and disappeared,” he told Australian Associated Press on Monday. | |
| “He was tragically lost at sea in the most unlikely of circumstances whilst fishing on his boat.” | |
| He said it had not been a shark attack. | |
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| “I urge all members, their families and friends to refrain from speculation,” he said. | |
| A spokesperson for NSW marine rescue said its crews were on standby to assist with the rescue operations on Monday if required, as the incident occurred outside its normal capabilities. | A spokesperson for NSW marine rescue said its crews were on standby to assist with the rescue operations on Monday if required, as the incident occurred outside its normal capabilities. |
| Its volunteer crew from Port Stephens responded to the incident on Sunday, and did not return to the shore until after midnight. | Its volunteer crew from Port Stephens responded to the incident on Sunday, and did not return to the shore until after midnight. |
| “Where this is happening is a long way offshore,” the spokesperson said. “It’s pretty fatiguing on any person who is assisting that search … It’s a different ballgame out there.” | “Where this is happening is a long way offshore,” the spokesperson said. “It’s pretty fatiguing on any person who is assisting that search … It’s a different ballgame out there.” |
| - with AAP |