NSW shark attack shocks surfing community

A SURFER has been flown to the Gold Coast after he suffered serious leg injuries from a suspected shark attack off the NSW far north coast.

SAM Morgan, 20, was mauled at Lighthouse Beach in East Ballina just before 6.20pm but managed to get himself onto the beach where others came to his help.

The man, in his twenties, was rushed to Lismore Base Hospital in a serious but stable condition, with injuries to his left thigh.

Police said the young surfer mauled Tuesday – named in local media as Sam Morgan – was heard screaming during the attack by the animal estimated to be about 3 metres (10 feet) long.

“We sighted a bull shark in the river mouth today – the NSW Department of Industries were in a helicopter”.

Authorities have closed the beach for a minimum of 24 hours.

Meanwhile, a senior Ballina life saver said two large sharks were spotted near the spot where Mr Morgan was bitten yesterday.

“It’s the surf lifesavers … the police that have got to go through this whole thing again”.

“Praying for you Sammy and the rest of your family”, wrote Joe McDonald.

Ballina has been rocked by numerous shark attacks this year.

The Mayor also spoke to the Sydney Morning Herald, telling them that “we should have the nets in place by Christmas”.

A Japanese surfer was killed in February, while a surfer and a body-boarder were seriously injured in separate attacks in Ballina in July.

“(We need them) because we’re going to have people in the water and we’ve got to make it as safe as possible”, Wright told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in comments echoed by the head of a local surfing club.

“Something has got to be done”, Cr Wright said in August.