Tragic twist in the case of surfer mauled to death by four-metre great white shark named Bruce as his final heroic act that ultimately saved his best friends but cost him his life is revealed
- Northern Beaches man died after shark bite causing him to go into cardiac arrest
- He was attacked at Tuncurry Beach near Forster on the mid-north coast of NSW
- Locals believe he was bitten by local white pointer dubbed Bruce by locals
- The local area is a well-known breeding ground for great white sharks
A surfer who died in a horror great white shark attack on Tuesday morning was desperately trying to warn others of the danger beneath them before it attacked him.
The man, 59, believed to be from Sydney’s Northern Beaches, was savagely bitten on his upper right thigh while surfing at Tuncurry Beach near Forster at 11.20am on Tuesday.
Police said the man, who was believed to be on a surfing holiday with friends, was letting them know where the 4.5 metre white pointer was in the water – when it latched onto his leg.
The surfer, who was believed to be on a surfing holiday with friends from Sydney’s Northern Beaches, was warning others of the shark’s position when he was attacked
The surfer, 59, died after he was bitten by a shark on the upper leg while surfing at Tuncurry Beach on the New South Wales mid-north coast
‘When the attack occurred the man did actually see the shark and called out to try and warn others,’ Superintendent Christopher Schilt told reporters.
He was pulled from the water and paramedics performed CPR at the scene, before transporting him to a local dog park with the intention of airlifting him to John Hunter Hospital.
He died at 12.40pm before he could be taken to hospital.
The victim was surrounded by his friends when he was attacked.
Locals said the monster that attacked him was likely a large great white shark they call Bruce.
The Sydney man died from a great white shark bite on Tuesday before he could be taken to hospital
The man, 59, was bitten on his upper right thigh at Tuncurry Beach (pictured) near Forster before 11.20am on Tuesday
‘Bruce has been swimming around there for years now finally big enough to attack someone. RIP old mate,’ one person said, referring to fears among residents the shark would be culled.
‘Probs the local white,’ one person commented.
Another agreed saying they were ‘pretty sure it was Brucey’.
Two great whites – one measuring about 4metres – were spotted not far from the site of the attack on Tuesday afternoon.
The area is a known breeding ground for great white sharks.
In 2018, 64 great whites were caught off Foster and Tuncurry during a six month period.
Police said they are working with the Department of Primary Industries to identify the species responsible for the first shark attack fatality this year.
There are drones circling the area to try and find the shark, local surf lifesaver Brian Wilcox told the ABC.
The attack was at Tuncurry Beach near Forster on the mid-north coast of New South Wales
‘We have had a drone up in the air to circle the spot … a couple of sharks [were] spotted, whether they were the ones or not who knows,’ he said.
App Dorsal shark alert, which alerts surfers and swimmers of shark sightings, reported a tagged great white shark was detected at Main Beach at 10.30pm on Monday, and at 2.44pm on Tuesday.
The Mid Coast Council announced beaches in Tuncurry and Forster have been closed in response to the incident.
‘In response to reports of a shark attack at Tuncurry Beach this morning, we have closed all beaches from Black Head to One Mile at Forster,’ the council said.
Police said they are working with the Department of Primary Industries to identify the species responsible
‘This decision has been made based on advice from Surf Life Saving Australia officials.’
A local who visited Tuncurry Beach after the attack said it was quiet and ‘eerie’.
‘Tuncurry Beach is very quiet and has an eerie feeling to it.’
‘A silence besides the crashing of waves and helicopters overhead,’ he wrote on social media.
‘Rest in peace fellow waterman.’