A surfer in his 60s has a severe foot injury after being mauled by a suspected great white shark on the NSW mid north coast.
Paramedics were called to Seven Mile Beach at Pacific Palms, south of Forster, where the local man, named on social media as Colin Rowland, was attacked just after 9am on Thursday.
The 65-year-old is believed to have been bitten by a great white shark measuring between 2.5 and 3.5 metres, with shark experts assessing photographs of the wounds and the man's board to determine the species.
Mr Rowland, who suffered puncture wounds to his foot, leg and hand, managed to swim back to shore and call for an ambulance, police said.
A friend said Mr Rowland was "super lucky" and that his foot was a bit "mangled".
"Hope ur foots (sic) better soon Colin," the friend wrote.
Mr Rowland has been airlifted by helicopter to Newcastle's John Hunter hospital in a stable condition.
Surrounding beaches including Booti Booti, Boomerang and Elizabeth have been closed, according to the Department of Primary Industries, which is aiding NSW Surf Life Saving and police.
