Shark 'rips off surfer's foot' in horror attack as beachgoers try to rescue him

25 August 2023 , 10:35

1093     0

Life guard bosses said it had been nearly ten years since a shark attack in the area (stock image) (Image: Getty Images/Image Source)

A man has been left fighting for his life after a horrific shark attack in Australia as witnesses saw his foot "ripped off".

The 44-year-old surfer was attacked by a Great White on the mid north coast of New South Wales.

The terrifying attack saw the beast, which is believed to be up to four metres (13ft) long, tear into him with its teeth. The man was forced to fight for his life, grappling with the massive predator underwater for around 30 seconds before other surfers came to his aid.

The traumatised man was dragged from the water where he was found to have suffered massive injuries to his leg and foot. One of those on scene was an emergency doctor who fashioned a makeshift tourniquet out of a surfboard tether in an attempt to stop the bleeding. The man reportedly suffered hideous wounds the length of his leg, from his hip down to his calf.

Beaches have been closed in the area following the horrific attack (ABC)

A witness to the attack, a teenage girl who told reporters the man was “frozen” as people rushed to help him, told local outlet NBN: “His foot ripped off and basically he was bleeding everywhere. They were trying to talk to him, he was silent, he was frozen. They tried to tie his leg with the leg rope from the surfboard and some sticks to keep it straight."

Missing radioactive capsule found after huge search - and it's the size of a pea

Paramedics rushed the surfer to Port Macquarie Base Hospital where is currently in a critical condition while surgeons work to stabilise him. The shark also tried to attack for a second time as the surfers rushed to rescue the man, another eyewitness said.

Surfer Loren Enfield was in the water when the shark, believed to be a Great White, attacked and she tried to raise the alarm - shouting for a family on the beach to call an ambulance. "It was awful, you wouldn't want to see it happen to anyone," she told the Port News. “I never want to see it happen again. It was big."

Experts are using drones to try and find the massive shark (ABC)

Lighthouse beach and other nearby seaside spots will remain closed for at least 24 hours, Port Macquarie Lifeguards have said. Signs warning people to stay out of the water have been erected.

Local authorities and police said they have opened an investigation into the incident. Experts are now at the beach, which is not patrolled this time of year, using drones to try and confirm the species and species of the shark which attacked the surfer, currently believed to be a large Great White.

Joe Smith