Long Reef Beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches has been the scene of a fatal shark attack.
Photo: Supplied / NSW government
A man has died after being mauled by a large shark on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Emergency services were called to Long Reef Beach just after 10am on Saturday to find the man critically injured.
Police said he was pulled from the water along with large sections of a surfboard.
“Officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command have closed the beach and will liaise with experts from the Department of Primary Industries to determine the species of shark involved,” police said. “Two sections of a surfboard have been recovered and taken for expert examination.”
Beaches between Manly and Narrabeen are closed until further notice.
Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) said the man was part of a group surfing to the north of the lifeguard tower toward Long Reef, away from the patrolled area.
“Our deepest condolences go to the family of the man involved in this terrible tragedy,” Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce said.
“Volunteers will continue to assist council and authorities to protect the public from further danger in any way we can.”
Drones are on the scene, scanning the beach for further shark activity.
A witness told the ABC they were heading to Shelly Beach at Manly, when an alert sounded.
“A megaphone announcement from a boat was warning ‘there has been a shark attack, please get out of the water for your own safety’,” he said.
SLSNSW cancelled all water activities at nearby beaches this weekend.
NSW police were due to provide an update on the incident later today.
– ABC