A 39-year-old surfer in Sydney, Australia, has been described as “lucky to survive” after a shark attacked his surfboard while he was out in the water. This incident comes just days after two other people, including a 12-year-old boy, were left in critical condition following separate shark attacks in the same region.
The latest attack occurred on Wednesday afternoon, when the surfer was paddling off the coast of Sydney’s northern beaches. Witnesses reported seeing the shark, believed to be a great white, strike the man’s surfboard before he was able to make it safely back to shore.
“He was really lucky,” said one beachgoer who saw the incident unfold. “The shark came up and just took a big bite out of his board. He managed to paddle in quickly, but it was a close call.”
Local authorities have confirmed that the surfer sustained only minor injuries and did not require hospital treatment. However, the attack has once again highlighted the growing concern over the number of shark encounters in the Sydney region.
Just two days prior, a 12-year-old boy was airlifted to the hospital after being mauled by a shark while swimming at Ballina, located about 750 kilometres north of Sydney. The young victim suffered serious injuries to his leg and remains in a critical condition.
That incident followed another attack on Saturday, in which a 35-year-old man was bitten on the leg while surfing at Shelly Beach, also in the northern beaches area of Sydney. He too was rushed to the hospital and is now reported to be in a stable condition.
Experts have suggested that the recent spate of attacks may be linked to the presence of large schools of baitfish along the New South Wales coastline, which can attract sharks closer to popular swimming and surfing spots.
In response to the growing concerns, authorities have urged beachgoers to exercise caution and report any shark sightings immediately. Additionally, aerial patrols and shark-monitoring technology have been deployed in an effort to enhance public safety.
“The safety of the public is our top priority,” said a spokesperson for the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries. “We are doing everything we can to monitor the situation and minimise the risk of further attacks.”
Despite the recent incidents, the odds of being involved in a shark attack remain extremely low. However, the latest events have served as a stark reminder of the potential dangers that can lurk in the waters off the Australian coast.
