A man is currently receiving hospital treatment following a shark bite incident at Point Plomer on New South Wales’ Mid North Coast. This event marks the fourth shark attack in the area within a span of just 48 hours.
According to reports, surfers who were camping at this popular surfing spot observed four bull sharks in the water before the 39-year-old man was attacked near Crescent Head on Tuesday.
The shark reportedly pierced the man’s wetsuit and damaged his surfboard. Despite the ordeal, the man managed to drive himself to Kempsey District Hospital for treatment.
He is now being treated for minor injuries, including cuts and grazes, and is in a stable condition.
In response to the incident, authorities have temporarily closed beaches stretching from Queens Head to Big Hill.
Steve Pearce, the CEO of Surf Life Saving NSW, expressed to the ABC that the man was extremely fortunate to survive the terrifying encounter at the beach, which lacks protective shark nets.
‘The area is known to have some shark activity up there,’ he said. ‘[He’s] very fortunate to not have sustained any serious injuries.’
The latest attack comes just hours after a 27-year-old man suffered ‘life-changing’ injuries after he was attacked by a shark at North Steyne Beach in Sydney’s north.
A man has been rushed to hospital after being bitten by a shark at Point Plomer (pictured) on the NSW Mid North Coast, marking the fourth attack in less than 48 hours
A police officer holds a surfboard after a 27-year-old man was attached at North Steyne Beach
The latest attack comes just hours after a 27-year-old man was attacked by a shark at North Steyne Beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches about 6.20pm on Monday
Heroic bystanders performed first aid on the man before paramedics arrived
Footage showed the man being dragged from the water by beachgoers who performed first aid until paramedics arrived about 6.20pm on Monday.
He was rushed to the Royal North Shore Hospital where he remains in a critical condition after undergoing surgery.
A 15cm bite mark on the young surfer’s board suggests he was most likely attacked by a bull shark, according to shark biologists from the primary industries department.
North Steyne Beach is expected to remain closed for the next 48 hours.
It marked the third shark attack in 26 hours, with experts saying peak season for bull sharks in the Sydney area is between January and February.
On Monday morning, an 11-year-old boy was thrown off his surfboard by a large shark, believed to be a bull shark.
It took several bites out of his board at Dee Why Point.
The shark net had been set as normal on Dee Why Beach, which was closed at the time of attack because of large swells and dangerous surf.
A 12-year-old boy aged 11 and the man in his 20s were targeted over a 25-hour period on Sunday and Monday. On Tuesday, a fourth man was attacked on NSW’s Mid North Coast
First responders treated the man on the sand before he was rushed to hospital
An officer is seen at the shore after the young man was mauled by a shark
The shark net had been set as normal on Dee Why Beach, which was closed at the time of attack because of large swells and dangerous surf (the beach is pictured)
The attack followed another off Shark Beach, Vaucluse, about 4.20pm on Sunday.
A boy, 12, was swimming with his friends at a popular jump rock to the west of the beach and was bitten outside the netted swimming area.
His friends helped him to shore.
It’s believed he was also attacked by a large bull shark.
Police on Monday urged people not to swim in murky, low-visibility water after bucketing rain drenched Sydney and its surroundings at the weekend.
Extra fresh water in the harbour after recent heavy rain, combined with the splashing effect from people jumping off a rock face, created a ‘perfect storm’ for Sunday’s shark attack, Superintendent Joseph McNulty said.
‘I would recommend not swimming in the harbour or our other river systems across NSW at this time,’ he told reporters before the Dee Why incident was reported.
Heavy swell has also prevented the operation of smart drumlines, which notify authorities of shark activity along most of the NSW coast since Sunday.
