A surfer has died after being mauled by a great white shark off the coast of Australia. The 60-year-old man was bitten on the back of his leg before two other people managed to successfully fend off the shark.
However, despite other surfers managing to drag the man ashore, he died on the beach as a result of his injuries.
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The incident occurred on Sunday morning at Salt Beach in Kingscliff, New South Wales. The man, who was from Tugun in Queensland, was given first aid at the scene, but could not be saved.
Local police confirmed that the 10-foot shark believed to be behind the attack has been spotted in the area on a 'number of occasions' before this attack.
The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries confirmed that a shark biologist had assessed photographs afterwards and confirmed that the fatal attack was from a great white.
New South Wales Police Detective Inspector Matt Kehoe said: "The male was taken out of the water with the assistance of some other surfers in the area.
"But tragically he has passed away at the scene. He suffered a significant injury to his left leg.
"The shark has been sighted on a number of occasions just off the shore.
"The actions of those people was nothing short of heroic today in making every attempt to try and save this gentleman. But sadly that couldn't be the case."
The horrific situation was later described by New South Wales Ambulance Inspector Terence Savage as a traumatic situation for everyone involved.
He said: "When you get a call to attend a shark attack, you never really know the full extent of the damage until you get on scene
"They did everything they could to try and save his life, but despite their best efforts, were unable to do so."
The beaches near to where the attack happened have been cleared and closed, and will remain so for 24 hours.
One surfer, who had just arrived at the area to go into the water, said: "We came down and we hadn't got in the water and police were immediately hauling people in.
"We found out there was a fatal shark attack on the south side of the rock wall. We were going to get in, we're not going to now for sure."
This is the third fatal shark attack that has taken place in Australia this year.
Featured Image Credit: AP