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Australia shark attack: Man killed at Byron Bay | Australia shark attack: Man killed at Byron Bay |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A 50-year-old man has been killed in a shark attack off a beach in Byron Bay, the most easterly point on the Australian mainland, officials say. | A 50-year-old man has been killed in a shark attack off a beach in Byron Bay, the most easterly point on the Australian mainland, officials say. |
The man sustained severe injuries on his right leg at the popular tourist destination in New South Wales. | The man sustained severe injuries on his right leg at the popular tourist destination in New South Wales. |
A swimmer brought him in to the beach but he was pronounced dead. | A swimmer brought him in to the beach but he was pronounced dead. |
Beaches in the area have been closed for 24 hours and people are being warned to stay out of the water. | Beaches in the area have been closed for 24 hours and people are being warned to stay out of the water. |
"At 10:45 police and paramedics were called to Main Beach after reports of a shark attack," New South Wales police said in a statement. | "At 10:45 police and paramedics were called to Main Beach after reports of a shark attack," New South Wales police said in a statement. |
The man was in the water when he was bitten by what was believed to be a shark, they said. | The man was in the water when he was bitten by what was believed to be a shark, they said. |
"He was seen floating in shallow water, close to the shore line, and dragged onto the beach. An ambulance was called and he was pronounced dead a short time later," the statement said. | "He was seen floating in shallow water, close to the shore line, and dragged onto the beach. An ambulance was called and he was pronounced dead a short time later," the statement said. |
Police said the wife of the man - who has not been identified - was watching from the shore, ABC reported. | Police said the wife of the man - who has not been identified - was watching from the shore, ABC reported. |
Mark Hickey said he tried to help the man. | Mark Hickey said he tried to help the man. |
"I saw what looked like seaweed but it was blood in the water," he said. "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." | "I saw what looked like seaweed but it was blood in the water," he said. "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." |
He told local media he saw a "six or seven foot" shark in the water. | He told local media he saw a "six or seven foot" shark in the water. |
Rescue organisation Surf Lifesaving Australia said the beach was not supervised at the time of the attack as it had occurred a week before seasonal duties. | Rescue organisation Surf Lifesaving Australia said the beach was not supervised at the time of the attack as it had occurred a week before seasonal duties. |
"But at the council's request, lifeguards will be on duty for at least the next 24 hours ensuring the water remains clear," it said in a statement. | "But at the council's request, lifeguards will be on duty for at least the next 24 hours ensuring the water remains clear," it said in a statement. |
Shark attacks in Australia | |
Sources: Tarong.org.au, Australian media reports | |
There have been several shark attacks off Australia's beaches in recent years. | There have been several shark attacks off Australia's beaches in recent years. |
In April, a woman was killed as she swam off Tathra beach, also in New South Wales. | In April, a woman was killed as she swam off Tathra beach, also in New South Wales. |
The Western Australia government, meanwhile, has ordered a cull of sharks, following at least six fatal attacks off the state's beaches in three years. | The Western Australia government, meanwhile, has ordered a cull of sharks, following at least six fatal attacks off the state's beaches in three years. |
Baited hooks have been installed off Perth's popular beaches. Any shark more than three metres long - which could include Great White, Tiger and Bull sharks - will be shot. | Baited hooks have been installed off Perth's popular beaches. Any shark more than three metres long - which could include Great White, Tiger and Bull sharks - will be shot. |
The controversial move prompted thousands of people to take part in protests against the culls. | The controversial move prompted thousands of people to take part in protests against the culls. |