Australia news This article is more than 14 years old

Boy in hospital after being mauled by shark at Australian beach

This article is more than 14 years oldFather drags teenage son to safety after third attack in Sydney in three weeks

A teenager surfing with his father off a Sydney beach had his leg mauled by a shark today in the third shark attack in the area in as many weeks.

The 15-year-old, whose name has not been released, was flown by helicopter from Avalon beach to a hospital in Sydney, Brett Garvey, an ambulance service spokesman, said. The boy was being treated for thigh injuries and was in a satisfactory condition, he added.

The boy and his father were in the water off Avalon at around dawn.

"Half an hour later, the father heard a scream and turned to see his son thrashing about in the water," a police statement said. "Fortunately, the shark swam away and the boy was helped to shore by his father."

Police said the bites "cut through to the bone" but the teenager did not appear to have sustained any fractures.

Ambulance officers said he had been bleeding heavily from severe lacerations to his leg. They stabilised him, treated him for pain and airlifted him to the Royal North Shore hospital.

Several beaches were closed after the attack as water police and lifeguards searched for the shark.

Police hoped to identify its species by the shape of the bite marks.

Despite news of the latest shark attack, about 900 swimmers braved the waters of Sydney's inner city harbour today to compete in the Sydney Harbour Swim Classic.

Race organisers decided to go ahead with the event despite debate about whether it should be cancelled.

Earlier this month, Paul de Gelder, a 31-year-old navy diver, lost a leg and part of a hand when he was mauled by a 2.7-metre (9ft) shark in Sydney harbour.

The next day, surfer Glenn Orgias, 33, was attacked off Bondi beach by a 2.5-metre great white shark that partly severed a hand. It was later successfully reattached.

Many shark species live in the waters off Sydney, but attacks on humans are still relatively rare.

Fishermen say shark numbers are on the rise. Marine experts believe environmental protection has created a cleaner environment which is attracting sharks closer to shore as they chase fish.

Many shark species, including the great white, are protected in Australian waters.

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