Stab Magazine | Surfer Loses Leg In WA Shark Attack; “Fighting For His Life”
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Surfer Loses Leg In WA Shark Attack; “Fighting For His Life”

In critical condition after incident at Falcon Beach.

news // Jun 1, 2016
Words by stab
Reading Time: < 1 minute

A surfer has lost his leg and been left fighting for his life after being attacked by a shark at Falcon Beach, Mandurah in Western Australia this afternoon around 4pm.

Ben Gerring was waiting for a wave while surfing with his buddies when, according to witnesses, he was attacked from behind and mauled.

Mandurah Mail deputy editor Nathan Hondros told Radio 6PR: “We’ve got the bloke out of the water, he seems to have lost a leg from above the knee and it looks like ambulance crews are trying to revive him… it’s not looking good. He’s still on the beach now… they’ve been doing CPR to him.”

According to WA Today: “The 29-year-old man, who works for FMG, was rushed from Surfbreak Lookout to Peel Health Campus by ambulance around 5pm. At 6.30pm, the RAC rescue helicopter was preparing to transfer Mr Gerring to Royal Perth Hospital.” He is currently in a critical condition.

One of Ben’s friends wrote on Facebook: “We are all praying for you Benny, you gotta make it brother.”

Understandably, the City of Mandurah has closed the beach.

Also worth noting is that a member of the public reported a 3.5m great white shark about 1.8km off shore at Pyramids Beach this morning – around four clicks south of Falcon. But, it’s unconfirmed whether it is the same shark.

Stab wishes Ben and his family all the best in this difficult time.

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