NSW: Man bitten by shark while surfing at East Ballina

Media Release

NSW Police Force

11. November 2015

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Injured surfer flown to hospital for surgery – East Ballina

The man seriously injured while surfing at East Ballina yesterday has been flown to Gold Coast University Hospital for surgery.

About 6.25pm (Tuesday 10 November 2015), emergency services responded to reports of a 20-year-old man who had been bitten by a shark while surfing at Lighthouse Beach.

He made his own way out of the water and was assisted by other beachgoers.

The man sustained serious wounds to his left thigh and was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance Paramedics before being taken to Ballina Airport.

About 7.30pm, the man was flown by Westpac Rescue helicopter Lifesaver One to the Gold Coast University Hospital.

Following surgery, he remains in a stable condition, but in an induced coma.

Police will be liaising with NSW Surf Lifesaving, Ballina Shire Council and Department of Primary Industries regarding the incident.

Initial investigations by the Department of Primary Industries suggest the shark in question was possibly a Bull shark, approximately 2.8 to 3.1 metres in length.

The beach has been closed for a minimum of 24 hours.

Source: NSW Police Force