Swimmer in critical condition after being attacked by shark in front of terrified onlookers

A swimmer is said to be in critical condition after being 'mauled' by a shark all in view of terrified onlookers in the US.

The attack was first reported at 5:49pm, according to the New York Police Department's public information office.

This came after calls for help were made from the water on 59th street, in what is the first shark attack in the area, as per a report by the New York Daily News.

The city's Department of Parks and Recreation has said the woman is 50-years-old and was bitten on her left leg after embarking on an evening swim.

The shark attack prompted lifeguards to clear the beach immediately as police searched for the underwater predator, however, this was unsuccessful according to the parks department.

"We hope for a full recovery for this swimmer," the parks department said in a statement. "Though this was a frightening event, we want to remind New Yorkers that shark bites in Rockaway are extremely rare.

"We remain vigilant in monitoring the beach and always clear the water when a shark is spotted."

The department had previously said the swimmer had suffered a 'major injury' before providing more information surrounding the attack and the woman's condition later on Monday.

The beach remains closed at this time, with local officials warning it may not reopen until 11am on Tuesday (8 August) at the earliest.

Drone efforts to try and find the shark were unsuccessful on Monday, though sources close to the New York Post say those efforts will continue on Tuesday.

Witnesses of the attack took to community watch app Citizen with onlookers claiming a chunk of the woman's leg was missing as she emerged from the water.

Meanwhile, other witnesses reported that police applied a tourniquet to the swimmer while waiting for the ambulance to arrive at the scene.

And as you'd expect, a number of witnesses reported that a number of police officers were on site.