A man is fighting for his life in critical condition after being involved in a ‘five-metre’ shark attack off the shore of a popular tourist island in Australia
A man is fighting for his life after a suspected shark attack on a popular island in Australia.
The man in his 30s has been rushed to hospital in critical condition after a ‘five-metre white shark’ was sighted on Rottnest Island near Perth.
A St John Western Australia ambulance spokesperson said emergency services were called to the scene off Geordie Bay at 10am (local time) on Saturday, May 16.
A rescue helicopter, paramedics and police all rushed to the scene.
According to WA Police the man was taken to shore by boat, where he will be met by ambulance paramedics.
“Emergency services were advised of a possible shark attack off Geordie Bay at Rottnest Island ,” the spokeperson said.
“No other details available at this time.”
According to Surf Life Saving WA a five-metre white shark was sighted at about 10am this morning 80 metres off shore.
Rottnest is a popular tourist destination, off the coast of the city of Perth in Western Australia.
It is a protected nature reserve known for its white sand beaches and quokka population.
A spokesperson for the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said the department was working with local authorities and would provide further information shortly.
The attack comes after an earlier string of shark attacks at the beginning of the year, with several incidents occurring in Sydney.
A 12-year-old boy Nico Antic was bit by a shark while playing with friends at a beach in Sydney in January and died a week later.
This was the first of several other attacks that took place in New South Wales.
