The NSW Department of Primary Industries confirmed a great white was at the centre of a fatal attack on a young surfer.
“(DPI) is deploying SMART drumlines as part of the Shark Incident Response Plan following the death of a man from a shark bite,” a spokesperson from said.
“NSW DPI extends sincere condolences to his family and friends.
“The man was surfing at Shelly Beach (part of Emerald Beach) at around 11.30am when he was reportedly bitten on the arm by a shark.
“DPI is assisting NSW Police, Coffs Harbour City Council lifeguards and Surf Life Saving NSW to monitor the area and provide technical advice and resources as required. Drones have been deployed in the area.
“NSW DPI shark scientists have analysed photographs of the bite and determined a white shark is likely responsible for the bite.
NSW Police said emergency services were called to Emerald Beach, north of Coffs Harbour on Sunday morning.
Police said the man, in his 20s, had critical injuries to his right arm and back.
Bystanders tried to deliver CPR and paramedics took over but the man died at the scene.
An onlooker told media that he was out in the surf when the attack took place.
“I was out in the surf and I heard screaming, I paddled further out to the water and saw a man without an arm, there was lots of blood,” the witness said.
NSW Ambulance Inspector Chris Wilson said it was a “devastating” incident for everyone on the beach at the time.
“A number of local surfers and bystanders came to the aid of this man, they were incredibly brave in a very challenging situation,” Mr Wilson said.
“The patient suffered a critical injury to his arm, but despite the best efforts of bystanders, paramedics and other emergency services, the patient couldn’t be revived.”
An emergency doctor was lowered to the beach by helicopter to assist.
At the location, a tarpaulin hid a makeshift intensive care unit but even after about an hour of CPR and treatment, the man was unable to be saved.
It was enough to bring seasoned medical professionals to tears.
The local council has closed Shelly Beach, Emerald Beach and Serenity Beach for the next 48 hours.
The attack continues a string along the NSW coastline in recent years and follows an incident involving popular 25-year-old Sunshine Coast surfer Joe Hoffman.
Joe was attacked by a 3m great white off Crescent Head, NSW, just before 4.30pm on July 5.
He suffered a serious arm injury, but surgeons were able to save it and he faces a lengthy recovery process.
