An Australian man was mauled to death by a large shark on Saturday while surfing in the waters off Sydney’s northern coast, according to several reports.
The 57-year-old victim’s name has not been released by authorities, who responded to Long Reef Beach at around 10 a.m. — approximately 30 minutes after the fatal attack, reported the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Officials said the man, a father, was an experienced surfer who entered the water at around 9 a.m. with a group of friends.
Loved ones grieved the loss of a man in his 50s after a fatal shark attack near Sydney. AP
Two sections of a surfboard were recovered and taken for examination. DEAN LEWINS/EPA/ShutterstockWitnesses on the beach said he vanished along with his board beneath the surface.
The other surfers he was with managed to return to shore safely.
The man and his board — broken into two pieces — were later found floating in the water, but he died soon after being brought onto the beach.
The man was missing “a number of limbs,” officials said.
Authorities spent Saturday searching for the shark with drones, while nearby beaches were closed until further notice.
Shark nets had been installed at 51 beaches between Newcastle and Wollongong on Monday as part of a seasonal program.
The police closed the beach where the tragic attack occurred. AP
The name of the victim has not been released. AP
Beaches in the area were shut down as officials examined the water for any additional shark activity. AFP via Getty ImagesBill Sakula, a local surfer, expects the fatal attack will have a chilling effect on the surfing community.
“It’s going to send shockwaves through the community,” he said. “Everyone is going to be a little bit nervous for a while.”
Officials said the attack was the first in the state of New South Wales this year.
The last time a person was killed by a shark in Sydney was in February 2022, which was the city’s first fatal shark attack in more than 60 years.
With Post wires
