Surfer killed in rare shark attack on Sydney beach

An experienced surfer has been mauled to death by what police described as a “large” shark at a Sydney beach, a rare fatal attack for the region that has prompted several beach closures.

- ALISHA RAHAMAN SARKAR

Emergency services were called to Long Reef Beach in the north of the New South Wales (NSW) capital shortly before 10am local time yesterday after a man suffered critical injuries.

The 57-year-old victim was surfing with a group of friends to the north of the lifeguard tower, away from the patrolled area, when he was attacked by the shark, according to the NSW police. While his fellow surfers managed to return to the shore safely, the victim's body was found floating in the water with a “number of limbs” missing.

He was pulled from the water by other surfers, but had lost too much blood and died at the scene, said police superintendent John Duncan of Sydney's northern beaches unit. “He'd suffered catastrophic injuries,” Mr Duncan told a televised press conference.

Two sections of a surfboard were retrieved and taken for examination, police added. The beach was immediately closed for visitors enjoying a spring beach day, and officers were expected to liaise with experts to determine the species of shark involved in the attack.