Australia Shark Attack
and Beach Closure 0
The man attacked by a shark on the New South Wales South Coast on Saturday morning says the experience will not stop him surfing, though it might take a while before he ventures back into the water.
Les Wade was surfing at Seven Mile Beach at Gerroa just before 9:00am (AEST) when he felt something push him from behind.
He says he thought it was another surfer but then he turned and spotted a shark.
“I didn’t realise what had happened,” he said. “I paddled back out and said, ‘I think there’s a shark and I think it’s just bit me’.
“The other guys sort of looked at me as if to say ‘OK’.”
Mr Wade was taken to hospital and a wound to his lower leg wound needed 50 stitches.
The life-long surfer says he is amazed that he did not sustain more severe injuries.
“I’m very lucky. I have to go and buy a lotto ticket on Tuesday or Wednesday.”
Beach closed
Surf Life Saving NSW duty officer John Restuccia says signs have been erected on the beach near Crooked River to remind people the area is closed and that they swim there at their own risk.
“[Sunday] morning our local jetboat in that area, at Kiama, [will] just have to patrol the area and make sure everything’s still all right down there,” he said.
The Australian Aerial Patrol says the attack is a timely reminder about the prevalence of sharks, despite the end of summer.
