NSW surfer hospitalised after shark attack

A man in his 60s is being treated for lacerations to his foot after being bitten and dragged under water by a shark at a northern NSW beach.

A helicoptor attends the scene. Source: NSW Ambulance

Emergency services were called to Bulls Paddock in the Booti Booti national park area at 9.20am, a NSW Ambulance spokesman said.

Colin Rowland had been surfing at Seven Mile Beach, just south of Forster, on the NSW Mid North Coast when a shark, believed to be up to 3.5 metres long, attacked him.

He then swam to shore, suffering puncture wounds to his foot and arm, and called emergency services, NSW Police Media said.

A large chunk of Mr Rowland's surfboard was bitten off before he made it to shore.

Hunter Westpac rescue helicopter crewman Graham Nickisson told the Newcastle Herald: "[Mr Rowland] said: 'I have been surfing for 54 years and this is the first time I have even seen a shark, so I am pretty lucky'. 

"He said he never saw it until it came back and took a chomp out of the board and then dragged him under."

He was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle for treatment, the spokesman said.

The beach is closed until further notice while officers from the Manning-Great Lakes local area command work with the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

Local surfers rallied together on Facebook, expressing their concern for the man's wellbeing and to wish him a speedy recovery.

More to come