Update 3pm: A great white shark has been spotted near where a man was bitten by a shark at Ballina this morning.
Channel 9 cameramen spotted the shark from the air and posted the above image to their Twitter page around lunchtime.
All Ballina Shire beaches have been closed following this morning’s shark attack at North Wall.
The Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, which earlier airlifted the 32-year-old shark attack victim to hospital is now participating in a search for the shark, along with jetskis.
There is no word yet as to whether the Oz Grom surfing competition, due to open at Lennox Head tomorrow, will go ahead.
NSW Police Media said the local man was body boarding with two friends just before 10am when he was bitten, suffering significant injuries to his lower legs. His condition was said to be critical.
His friends helped him to shore where paramedics worked on him for an hour before he was sufficiently stabilised to be transported.
The man was taken to the Gold Coast University Hospital aboard the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter.
Light House Beach, and all beaches within Ballina Shire, are closed for the next 24 hours, and lifesavers are conducting patrols.
This morning’s attack follows the death of a 41-year-old surfer in February at nearby Shelley Beach.
