Man killed by shark in Australia

A man has been killed in a presumed shark attack off a beach in Byron Bay, the most easterly point on the Australian mainland, officials say.

The man was bitten on his leg at the popular tourist destination in New South Wales.

Swimmers brought him in to the beach but he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Beaches in the area have been closed for 24 hours and people are being warned to stay out of the water. Continue...

“At 10:45 police and paramedics were called to Main Beach after reports of a shark attack,” New South Wales police said in a statement.

“A man, believed to be aged in his 40s, was in the water when he was bitten on the right leg by what is believed to be a shark.

“He was seen floating in shallow water, close to the shore line, and dragged onto the beach. An ambulance was called and he was pronounced dead a short time later,” the statement said.

Inquiries into the identity of the man were ongoing, police said.

A shark had been seen in the area before the attack, ABC reported, citing police.

Eyewitness Daniel Toole, 26, told ABC News that he was surfing when he noticed a crowd of people yelling at him to get out of the water.

“Everyone had got to him and were trying to help him,” he said of the injured man. “They were giving him CPR and just trying to get him back.”

Rescue organisation Surf Lifesaving Australia said the beach was not supervised at the time of the attack as it had occurred a week before seasonal duties.

“But at the council’s request, lifeguards will be on duty for at least the next 24 hours ensuring the water remains clear,” it said in a statement.

There have been several shark attacks off Australia’s beaches in recent years.

In April, a woman was killed as she swam off Tathra beach, also in New South Wales.

The Western Australia government, meanwhile, has ordered a cull of sharks, following at least six fatal attacks off the state’s beaches in three years.

Baited hooks have been installed off Perth’s popular beaches. Any shark more than three metres long – which could include Great White, Tiger and Bull sharks – will be shot.

The controversial move prompted thousands of people to take part in protests against the culls.