Fatal Shark Attack Closes Perth Beach

At around 10am this morning, a swimmer was attacked by a shark at Sorrento Beach in Perth, Western Australia.

Two men were reportedly swimming around 50 metres from shore when the attack happened. According to the ABC, beachgoers saw blood in the water. One of the men made it back to shore, reportedly in a traumatised state. The other is still missing.

The shark has been described by witnesses as being up to six metres long, although that’s yet to be confirmed.

PerthNow reports that three rescue crews were dispatched to the scene under Priority One conditions, but have since been stood down.

The incident comes just four days after 56-year-old Mel Ismail was attacked while surfing in Geraldton, around 420 kilometres north of Perth on the same stretch of coastline.

Ismail was dragged back to shore by another surfer, where a group of teenagers walking on the beach administered first aid, using a leash as a makeshift tourniquet. He was rushed to hospital, where his leg was amputated below the shin.