Man, 24, has his leg and hand savaged by a shark during a surf lesson in waist-deep water on a popular beach
- Man was with a lesson of 40 others when he felt the shark latch on to his leg
- Beachgoers helped him from the water and he was airlifted to hospital
- He suffered three puncture wounds to his hand and leg in the sudden attack
A young man has been bitten by a shark during a surf lesson off a popular beach near Wollongong.
The 24-year-old’s leg and hand were savaged as he swam at Seven Mile Beach in Gerroa, in the Illawarra region, about 12.25pm on Saturday.
He was in waist-deep water alongside about 40 other surfers when he suffered three puncture wounds from the shark’s teeth.
A young man has been bitten by a shark during a surf lesson off Seven Mile Beach in Gerroa, near Wollongong
NSW Ambulance said he ‘felt something latch on to his right leg’ and surfboard, then called out to other beachgoers who helped him to shore.
He was treated at the scene for non-life threatening injuries before being airlifted to St George Hospital where he will undergo infection control.
Police believed the shark to be a wobbegong or a small grey nurse.
The beach was closed while police liaised with Surf Life Saving and the Primary Industries Department.