Shark Attack at Bombo Beach, NSW, Leaves Local Surfer in Serious Condition

Last night, 22 year old South Coast local surfer, Brett Connellan, suffered injuries to his left leg and hand after he was attacked by a shark at Bombo Beach, NSW.

The attack occurred around seven. A rescue helicopter was called and Brett was taken to St George Hospital. His condition was reported as “serious but stable,” according to an NSW ambulance Service spokeswoman.

He’s “missing three quarters of his thigh,” reported a paramedic on scene.

Brett was pulled to shore by a friend he was surfing with, who proceeded fix a tourniquet with his leash and stemmed the blood flow, reportedly saving Mr Connellan’s life. “Actions from his surfing companion kept him alive until our paramedics,” said ambulance Inspector, Geoff Senior, “were able to perform a blood transfusion. 

This shot’s pulled from Brett’s facebook, a good surfer and local. We wish a speedy recovery.

Last night, Brett underwent emergency surgery, in addition to the wounds, he suffered a fracture to his left leg.

It is currently unclear what species of was the culprit of the attack.

“Only 14 deadly great white sharks have been tagged in the past seven months as part of the Baird government’s SharkSmart app program, leading to concerns the technology is giving beachgoers a false sense of security,” states an article in the Daily Telegraph. “Fifteen bull sharks have also been tagged since August, when the government unveiled its monitoring program in the wake of a spike in shark attacks off the north coast.”

However, to be fair to the Australian gov’s attempt to cull the shark problem, it’s the ocean, there’s sharks and the risk of an attack is something all surfers are aware of every time they hit the water. Even if it’s out of site, out of mind.

Hopefully Brett’s backhand will return to the water soon. Photo: WSL