Surfer dies in Sydney shark attack
A man has died after being bitten by what officials are calling a "large shark," off a beach in Sydney, Australia, police confirmed Saturday.
A 57-year-old man has died after being bitten by what officials are calling a “large shark,” while surfing at Long Reef Beach north of Sydney, Australia, police confirmed Saturday. Photo by Dean Lewins/EPA-EFE UPI
Sept. 6 (UPI) -- A man has died after being bitten by what officials are calling a "large shark," off a beach in Sydney, Australia, police confirmed Saturday.
The man's surfboard was bitten in two during the attack, which happened around 10 a.m. AEST at Long Reef Beach, a popular surfing location north of Sydney.
The man, identified by the Sydney Morning Herald as Mercury Psillakis, suffered critical injuries, losing both of his legs. Officials said he died at the scene.
Witnesses estimated the shark to be almost 20 feet in length and occurred some 320 feet from shore.
"Officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command have closed the beach and will liaise with experts from the Department of Primary Industries to determine the species of shark involved," the New South Wales Police said in a statement.
"Two sections of a surfboard have been recovered and taken for expert examination."
The beach was heavily populated with surfers at the time of the shark attack, which happened a day before Father's Day in Australia.
Psillakis was a father and well-known member of the local surfer community, local media reported.
Shark attacks are commonplace in Australia, with the country experiencing on average around 10 injuries and 2.8 deaths per year attributed to sharks over the last decade, according to data from the Taronga Conservation Society.
Over 90% of all shark bite incidents in Australia involve White Sharks, Bull Sharks, Tiger Sharks, Wobbegongs and other whaler sharks, according to the society.
Long Reef Beach falls under the New South Wales Shark Management Program, a collection of nets and drumlines, drones and other measures meant to keep the animals from attacking humans.
