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Sydney (AFP) - A surfer was killed by a shark in Western Australia on Saturday when the animal attacked him after bouncing off the surfboard of another man, police said.
Police were called early Saturday to Lefthanders Beach near Gracetown, about 270 kilometres south of Perth, after the alarm was raised at the popular surfing spot.
Police said the animal appeared to have made contact with another surfer before it lashed out and caused the fatal injuries to a 35-year-old man.
"From what we understand, the shark bounced off the surfboard of one surfer before attacking the other," Acting Sergeant Norm Giocas of Margaret River police said.
Reports said the victim had been dragged to shore by a fellow surfer who gathered him onto his board, while witnesses described the man as having horrific injuries.
"I ran up the beach and called police," surfer Ryan Scanlon, who had been about to enter the water when the tragedy unfolded, told the Perth Now website.
"I saw him wash up. He was missing his left arm and flesh off the right leg."
The Department of Fisheries and the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River have closed a number of local beaches as a result of the death, including the main Gracetown beach.
The Department of Fisheries reportedly issued a "search and kill" notice for the shark.
Sharks are common in Australian waters but deadly attacks are rare, with only one of the average 15 incidents a year typically proving fatal.
Last month, a commercial diver suffered substantial injuries when he was attacked by a shark off a remote area of Western Australia.
There has not been a fatality since July 2012 when a surfer was bitten in half off the coast of Western Australia, capping an unprecedented spate of five deadly attacks by the marine predators that sparked calls for a cull.
Local marine scientists have described Australia's west coast as the deadliest shark attack zone in the world, and a tagging and tracking programme has been launched in a bid to limit fatalities.
Surfer killed by shark off notorious stretch of West Australia's west coast 'had his arm missing'
Victim, 35, had been surfing off beach near Gracetown, West Australia
Witness say his arm was missing following the shark attack at 9am today
Fisheries Department has closed beaches and ordered shark's capture
Australia has become the world's deadliest country for shark attacks
By SOPHIE JANE EVANS PUBLISHED: 10:29 GMT, 23 November 2013 | UPDATED: 15:43 GMT, 23 November 2013 A surfer has been killed by a shark off a notorious stretch of Australia's west coast today. The 35-year-old man was surfing off a beach near Gracetown, about 167 miles south of Perth, when he was attacked.Eyewitnesses have told how his arm was missing and there were no signs of life as he was dragged to the shore.
Scene: The 35-year-old man was surfing off Lefthanders Beach, pictured, near Gracetown, when he was attacked by a shark
The shark is believed to have 'bounced' off the board of another surfer, before launching the fatal strike at 9am.The victim, from Margaret River, was dragged onto Lefthanders Beach after being pulled onto another surfer's board.
One of his arms was missing and he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Sky News. His body was later taken away by helicopter, while his green and yellow surf board was also recovered.
Deadly: Gracetown, situated about 167 miles south of Perth, has seen three fatal attacks in the past decade
Speaking today, Sergeant Craig Anderson said: ‘His injuries appear to be consistent with those that would be received in a shark attack.'Stuart Smith, the Fisheries Department's director general, immediately closed beaches in the area. He has issued an 'imminent threat' order for the shark to be captured - but insists he will not be putting out a ‘shoot to kill’ command. A fisheries vessel with a hook and lines is currently scouring the water, while urgent warnings have been issued to locals to stay out of the water.‘The area is considered a high risk and hazard region because of the high number of swimmers and surfers there,’ said Mr Smith.He added that he was particularly concerned about the large number of school leavers who are currently on holiday in the area.
Killer: No details of the type of shark responsible for the latest attack have been released. However, great whites, pictured, are often to blame for fatalities off Australia's west coast
As news of the attack spread, crowds began to gather at the beach. They were later joined by the surfer's devastated relatives. Australia has become the world's deadliest country for shark attacks. Experts say the creatures often attack surfboards and their riders because they believed the shape resembles seals, one of their prey. Gracetown - the state's top surfing and wine-making region - alone has seen three fatal shark attacks in the past decade. Yesterday, the girlfriend of 24-year-old Ben Lendin, who was killed by a shark in West Australia last year, posted a message on Facebook paying tribute to the latest victim.
Injured: Last month, Greg Pickering, 55, suffered severe wounds to his chest and face yesterday after being mauled by a shark off Poison Creek beach, 99 miles east of Esperance
Second time: The Australian spear fisherman, pictured being carried from the scene, had previously survived a shark attack off Cervantes, north of Perth, in 2004
‘Another man lost,’ wrote Alana Noakes. ‘Thinking about his family and friends, remembering what we all went through. All I want to do is hug them.‘Life can be over so quickly, so make the most of your weekend with each other.’Mr Linden’s body was never found, despite an intense air and sea search, but an inquest last month was told there was no doubt he had been killed in a ‘catastrophic shark attack'.Last month, an Australian spear fisherman and diver suffered severe wounds to his chest and face yesterday after being mauled by a shark off Poison Creek beach, 99 miles east of Esperance.
Greg Pickering, 55, was dragged onto a boat near Esperance after being savaged by the animal while he was fishing.He had previously survived a shark attack off Cervantes, north of Perth, in 2004. No details of the type of shark responsible for the latest attack have been released. However, great whites are often to blame for fatalities off Australia's west coast.
