A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD boy has been attacked by a 13ft shark who ripped off part of his leg.

The child was playing with a group of 10 friends in shark infested waters when the beast grabbed hold of his body.

Horrified witnesses recalled seeing the boy jump from a fisherman’s dock in Taiohae Bay, Nuku Hiva moments before being attacked.

The child was snagged on his right forearm, left hand and had one of his calves ripped off.

He was quickly treated at the scene before being rushed to a local hospital in French Polynesia.

Doctors decided his injuries were so severe that he was airlifted to the larger Taaone Hospital shortly after arriving.

A firefighter who helped the child said: “I’m 35 years old and this is the first time I’ve seen this. These were long and deep wounds.

“It’s likely connected to the fish remains discarded by fishermen in this region. Numerous sharks, including blacktips, hammerheads, and lemon sharks, can be found here.”

Another shark attack victim was left with similar wounds after her calf was torn off in a Fourth of July mauling.

Tabatha Sullivent was one of four people injured in a shark attack on South Padre Island off the southern coast of Texas.

Sullivent recalls feeling the beast approach as she tried to kick it to get ot to go away.

But the shark suddenly clasped onto her leg and bit off a majority of her left calf.

It comes as a luxury Maldives getaway turned into a nightmare when a dentist was mauled by a shark in a terrifying attack.

Ekaterina Alexandrova, 30, from Moscow, shared footage of the moment she was attacked while snorkelling with a friend.