A surfer has died from a shark attack at a popular beach at Byron Bay on the NSW north coast.
Two off-duty volunteer lifesavers rushed to the aid of the man, believed to be in his 50s, after he was seen floating in shallow water near the shore line at Clarkes Beach on Tuesday morning.
The man, who police say was bitten on the leg, was dragged onto the beach.
A triple-zero call was received by emergency services at 10.42am.
Emergency services attend Clarkes Beach at Byron Bay in far northern New South Wales, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014. A man in his 40s has died following a shark attack while swimming at Clarkes Beach this morning. (AAP)
CPR was performed but he died a short time later.
Surf Life Saving NSW spokeswoman Donna Wishart said Byron Bay beaches - from Tallows in the south to Belongil Beach in the north - have been closed.
NSW government officers will be brought in to determine the type of shark involved in the attack.
NSW Ambulance paramedic Andrew Chapman said the man was bitten above the knee.
"It was a fatal bite with major blood loss. He probably died in the water because there was no blood loss on the beach," he told News Corp Australia.
Newcastle lawyer Mark Hickey, 52, was one of the first people on the scene and said he saw a six- or seven-foot (1.8-2.1m) shark menacing the victim.
"I saw what looked like seaweed but it was blood in the water," the tourist told the news organisation.
"The shark came back to him and had another go. 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."
Media reports have said the man was swimming when he was attacked.
Share
