A 57-year-old surfer was attacked by a large shark early Saturday morning off Long Reef Beach in northern Sydney. He lost both legs, and his surfboard was torn in half. Despite brave rescue attempts, he died on the beach.
On September 6, 2025, around 9:30 a.m., the experienced surfer – a father of a family – was attacked about 100 meters from shore. According to ABC News and the Associated Press, friends immediately pulled him from the water, but he succumbed to severe bleeding despite all resuscitation attempts.
“This is a tragic accident, something that happens very, very rarely,” said police spokesman Stuart Thomson.
Authorities are currently examining the shattered board to determine the species of shark. As Bild reports, great white, tiger, or bull sharks are the most likely in the region. Al Jazeera also points to these three potential species.
According to the Associated Press, authorities closed the beaches between Manly and Narrabeen and deployed helicopters, drones, and jet skis to locate the animal.
The Guardian points out that this is the first fatal shark attack in New South Wales this year – and only the second in Sydney since 1963, following the Little Bay incident in 2022.
