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Man killed in shark attack at Byron Bay Man killed in shark attack at Byron Bay
(35 minutes later)
A man has died from a shark attack on the New South Wales far-north coast. A Byron Bay man has died after being attacked by a shark at a popular beach at the town on the NSW north coast.
The man, believed to be in his 40s, was pulled from the water at Clarkes beach, Byron Bay, just before 11am on Tuesday in a critical condition. Police have confirmed the man, in his 40s, was a local resident and has been identified by a family member.
He was pulled from the water at Clarkes beach just before 11am on Tuesday in a critical condition.
He was believed to have suffered a bite to his leg, an ambulance spokeswoman said.He was believed to have suffered a bite to his leg, an ambulance spokeswoman said.
A triple-zero call was received by emergency services at 10.42am. A doctor performed CPR but the man died at the scene.A triple-zero call was received by emergency services at 10.42am. A doctor performed CPR but the man died at the scene.
NSW Ambulance paramedic Andrew Chapman said the man was bitten above the knee.
“It was a fatal bite with major blood loss. He probably died in the water because there was no blood loss on the beach,” he told News Corp Australia.
Newcastle lawyer Mark Hickey, 52, was one of the first people on the scene and said he saw a six- or seven-foot (1.8-2.1m) shark menacing the victim.
“I saw what looked like seaweed but it was blood in the water,” the tourist told the news organisation.
“The shark came back to him and had another go. I didn’t know it was a person but when I realised I ran out and waded to the bank and grabbed him and did CPR but it was too late.”
Media reports have said the man was swimming with flippers when he was attacked.
NSW government officers will be brought in to determine the type of shark involved in the attack.
This is the first fatal shark attack in Byron Bay since 1993.This is the first fatal shark attack in Byron Bay since 1993.
About 30 surfers had been in the water at the time of the attack but had been quickly brought in.About 30 surfers had been in the water at the time of the attack but had been quickly brought in.
Some 150 people were on the sand in the aftermath of the attack, but the water remained empty as two low-lying helicopters hovered overhead searching for the shark. A crowd of around 150 people were on the sand in the aftermath of the attack, but the water remained empty as two low-lying helicopters hovered overhead searching for the shark.
Channel Nine news has tweeted a photograph of what it believes to be the shark. Channel Nine news tweeted photographs of what is believed to be the shark.
The victim’s body remained on the beach, partially covered by a windbreak. Surf life-savers, police and paramedics were at the scene. Helicopter footage showed the shark to be very close to the shore.
A local reporter told Guardian Australia that a distressed woman had been near the body, but had since left the beach. After the attack, the victim’s body remained on the beach, partially covered by a windbreak. Surf life-savers, police and paramedics were at the scene.
A local reporter told Guardian Australia that a distressed woman had been at the scene.
Fairfax Media quoted Surf Life Saving NSW spokeswoman Donna Wishart who said at the time of the attack the beach was not supervised as the life guards’ seasonal duties was not due to start for another week.Fairfax Media quoted Surf Life Saving NSW spokeswoman Donna Wishart who said at the time of the attack the beach was not supervised as the life guards’ seasonal duties was not due to start for another week.
Byron Shire Council announced the beach’s closure on its Facebook page. “Byron Bay beaches from Belongil to Tallow Beach are closed for the next 24 hours. Everyone is requested to stay out of the water until advised further. Byron Shire Council announced the beach’s closure on its Facebook page. “Due to a fatal shark attack on Tuesday morning (9 September, 2014), Byron Bay beaches from Belongil to Tallow Beach are closed for the next 24 hours. Everyone is requested to stay out of the water until advised further.
“Two life guards will be stationed at Main Beach (Byron Bay) tomorrow to assist with keeping people out of the water.”“Two life guards will be stationed at Main Beach (Byron Bay) tomorrow to assist with keeping people out of the water.”
Steven Adelaide, 42, from Sydney, who is on holiday in Byron Bay with his wife and young child, said they had been about to go into the water just before the attack occurred but decided to build a sandcastle first.Steven Adelaide, 42, from Sydney, who is on holiday in Byron Bay with his wife and young child, said they had been about to go into the water just before the attack occurred but decided to build a sandcastle first.
“It’s a perfect day in Byron and we just were about to go for a swim when we heard a commotion,” he said.“It’s a perfect day in Byron and we just were about to go for a swim when we heard a commotion,” he said.
“I was absolutely shocked when the beach was cleared. They are still looking for a shark. We are going to find a swimming pool instead.”“I was absolutely shocked when the beach was cleared. They are still looking for a shark. We are going to find a swimming pool instead.”
The Northern Star has spoken to a man believed to have rescued the shark attack victim. The rescuer, who did not want to be named, said the shark had been circling and estimated it to be about two metres long. Police will speak to the media on Tuesday afternoon.
He said the victim was swimming with flippers at the time of the attack.