Surf Life Saving NSW has confirmed reports of a shark attack on a 17-year-old surfer at Lighthouse Beach, Ballina, at around 9am this morning (Monday, September 26).
The attack occurred on the same 2km stretch of beach that has seen four serious shark attacks in the past 18 months.
Beaches across the Ballina Shire have been closed with residents and visitors urged to avoid the area on Monday following a shark attack at Lighthouse Beach.
It was the first patrol of the 2016/17 season for lifeguards at Lighthouse Beach who were able to respond to situation within moments of being alerted by witnesses.
The incident happened shortly before 9am when the surfer was pulled out of the water by fellow surfers after he suffered severe lacerations to his leg.
Lifeguards have since cleared the water.
According to police the youth was assisted by a nurse who was at the beach.
He sustained a single bite wound to his hip and was taken to Lismore Base Hospital in a stable condition.
Echonetdaily understands no major arteries have been severed.
A NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) helicopter has been diverted to the area for aerial surveillance, while the Ballina Lifeguard jet ski is currently conducting roving patrols on the water as are other surf lifesaving assets.
The species of shark involved in the incident is not yet known and DPI scientists will investigate further.
Lennox Head, Sharpes Beach, Shelly Beach (Ballina), Lighthouse Beach have all been closed and a decision to reopen them will not be made for at least the next 24 hours.
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to the incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/
When are they going to stop fiddling around with eco bullshit barriers and the like and simply start meshing these beaches. Shark meshing has been protecting surfers in Sydney for eighty years. Not only a proven system but also the cheapest.
Really, meshing works- mate the mesh is not continuous and tend to catch everything else but then, like climate deniers, people refuse to accept the evidence about meshing.
Sober up you Prima Donnas !
It’s the sea-……. You know,- where sharks ,octopuses, prawns and whales live… and belong .
You are people…. and you belong on land (some of you up trees !).
You don’t trap or kill everything that you find inconvenient, while you cavort or rip off the tourists !
Get some perspective ,if you don’t like the marine life……. stay out of the water !
get a hobby (collect stamps or something safe )
Cheers G”)