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A surfer aged in his 20s has died after being bitten by a shark on the New South Wales North Coast this morning, lifeguards and paramedics say.
Key points:
- Emergency services, including a rescue helicopter, rushed to the scene but the man's injuries proved fatal
- Locals say there were plenty of people at the beach for Father's Day
- The death has cast a "heavy atmosphere" over the town, a resident says
Paramedics, including critical care specialists aboard the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, raced to Shelley Beach, at Emerald Beach north of Coffs Harbour, shortly before 11:00am.
Despite their best efforts the man died at the scene.
"It was a devastating for everybody on the beach this morning," Chris Wilson from NSW Ambulance said.
"A number of local surfers and bystanders came to the aid of this man.
"The Westpac Rescue Helicopter winched in a critical care medical team onto the beach to continue treatment.
"The patient suffered a critical injury to his arm, but despite the best efforts of bystanders, paramedics and other emergency services, the patient couldn't be revived."
ABC Coffs Coast: Claudia Jambor
)'It's a heavy feeling'
Aaron Armstrong was surfing at Shelly Beach at the time of the attack and saw the man being brought out of the water.
"It's quite scary," he said.
Mr Armstrong, who has lived at Emerald Beach for more than 20 years, said it was the first attack he's aware of at the "very popular" Shelly Beach.
ABC Coffs Coast: Claudia Jambor
)Resident Glenn Coleman heard the sirens coming down his street.
"We pricked our ears up straight away and we knew something had happened," he said.
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He said many locals were out surfing for Father's Day.
"It's a heavy feeling," Mr Coleman said.
Authorities are expected to give an update later today.