A Surfer Was Attacked By A Shark In Ballina This Morning

Just days after a Victorian tourist was killed by a shark in the Whitsunday Islands, a surfer is in hospital after being attacked by a shark this morning in Ballina on the NSW North Coast.

Emergency services arrived at Shelly Beach around 7:00am following reports of the violent human–shark encounter.

Apparently the shark jumped the man, who was surfing at the time, taking a piece of his left calf. The man then fought the shark off with his board before paddling himself into safety. He then scrambled into his car and drove straight to Ballina District Hospital where he is currently in a stable condition.

Ballina Mayor David Wright, who is on scene at Shelly Beach, told The Northern Star that a 42-year-old man from East Ballina was pulled from his board during the ordeal.

“He said he was bitten on the leg by a 5ft shark which pulled him off the board,” Cr Wright said.

“He said he tried to hit the shark with his board.

“He has an 8 inch cut on his leg and has now been taken to Lismore Base Hospital to have the wound cleaned.”

All beaches in the Ballina Shire have been closed for 24 hours and at this time it is unknown whether the area’s new ‘Smart’ drumlines were in operation.

Shelly Beach is the same stretch where

four years ago.

Here’s to a speedy recovery for our injured compadre and a safe summer for all beachgoers.