Sam Morgan, 20, was mauled at Lighthouse Beach in East Ballina just before 6.20pm but managed to get himself onto the beach where others came to his help. He sustained serious wounds to his thigh and was treated by paramedics.
On Tuesday night he was flown to the Gold Coast University Hospital, where he remains in a serious condition. The attack is the latest in a serious of shark attacks along the northern coast of NSW this year.
At least 14 shark attacks have been recorded in NSW this year, including a serious attack on bodyboarder Mat Lee in July at the same beach and a fatality at a nearby beach. Japanese surfer Tadashi Nakahara, 41, was killed at Shelly Beach on February 9.
Unlike Mr Nakahara, Mr Lee was able to survive his critical leg injuries and has spent months recovering on a wheelchair and crutches.
Police have closed Lighthouse Beach for 24 hours and have been investigating the attack.
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