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

Live Now — Episode 3 Of Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico

213 Views

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.

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

10 Shapers To Watch In The Next 10 Years — Part Two

A few more foam craftsmen worth keeping on your radar.

Jul 14, 2025

Watch: Rip Curl Mobilises Its Teenage Army In ‘Dunno’

A 30-minute surf film by Vaughan Blakey and Nick Pollet.

Jul 14, 2025

There’s A New Number One Surfer In The World

And it feels so right.

Jul 13, 2025

Controversial Opinion: No One Needs To Yoga In Boardshorts

8 Trunks for the traditionalist.

Jul 13, 2025

Stab Edit Of The Year: Sam Piter Stars in ‘Rogue DNA’.

French blood, thick water.

Jul 13, 2025

Matty McG Skydives Into CT Heat, But Jordy’s Still The Main Event

A full day of heats at J-Bay, and only one shark warning.

Jul 12, 2025

Correction: J-Bay All Foreplay, No Climax

Slim pickings on Day 1 of the Corona Cero Open J-Bay 2025.

Jul 11, 2025

What Do Hollywood, Surf Lessons, Michael Jackson And Traction Pads Have In Common?

A Stab Interview with Teva Dexter, the man behind surfing's hardest new hardware brand —…

Jul 10, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 3

"The tribe has spoken," Dane Reynolds pronounced, and a surfer's torch was snuffed.

Jul 10, 2025

How Josh Ku Nearly Died Trying To Cross From Ulus to G Land by Hydrofoil

“If someone finds me dead at least they can find my phone and know what…

Jul 10, 2025

Expect No Kiss, All Climax At The “World’s Most Perfect Pointbreak”

A Corona Cero Open J-Bay 2025 preview.

Jul 9, 2025

SEOTY: Liam O’Brien stars in ‘Friction of Perception’

"Hopefully I don’t come across like too much of a peanut."

Jul 8, 2025

10 Shapers To Watch In The Next 10 Years — Part One

“It’s like a drug empire, man. Cut the head off the snakes, and more will…

Jul 7, 2025

Mason Ho Joins Ritual Vision, Releases Remix Of Greatest Hits

Dion Agius riffs on the eyewear brand’s U.S. expansion, Ritualistic Tendencies, and the new stars…

Jul 7, 2025

Is It Time For A New Judging Format?

We have a modest proposal — a WSL head judge disagrees.

Jul 7, 2025

Luke Thompson Turns Last Year’s Priority Disaster Into Ballito Gold

+ earns himself a wildcard into Jbay.

Jul 7, 2025

Fiji Has Its First Professional Surfer, And He’s Unbelievable

16-year-old James Kusitino’s incomprehensible tube lounging leads to a deal with Former.

Jul 6, 2025

Laird Hamilton on The Limitations of Being a Purist, Invention vs. Ownership + Why He Never Had a Sticker Deal 

Untold stories from his How Surfers Get Paid interview.

Jul 4, 2025
Advertisement