A 57-year-old experienced surfer has died after being attacked by a large shark at Long Reef Beach in Sydney, Australia, marking the city’s first fatal incident since 2022. Police identified the victim as a father who lost several limbs during the attack. The incident has drawn attention due to the victim’s repeated pleas for help, as described by a witness who said he heard the man scream, ‘I don’t want to get bitten, I don’t want to get bitten, don’t bite me.’ The witness reported seeing the shark’s dorsal fin before the attack, noting it was ‘huge.’
The New South Wales Police Force confirmed the man’s death at the scene, with officers closing the beach to the public and conducting an investigation to determine the species of the shark involved. Authorities have also recovered and examined two sections of a surfboard associated with the attack. The last fatality from a shark attack in Sydney occurred in February 2022, according to Sky News, making this a rare occurrence since 1963.
Policeman John Duncan, speaking on Saturday, described the incident as a ‘terrible tragedy’ and emphasized the victim’s experience as a surfer. He noted the man had been out with a group of friends around 9:30 a.m. and that his colleagues managed to return to the beach safely. Two other individuals later recovered the body from the surf. Duncan confirmed the victim leaves behind a wife and young daughter.
Officials have also highlighted the increasing sightings of large sharks, such as great whites, in the region as summer winds begin to subside. While the exact cause of the attack is still under investigation, the incident has sparked discussions about beach safety and shark mitigation efforts. No immediate financial implications are expected from this tragic event.