A man has been hospitalised after being bitten by a shark off the coast of a north-east New South Wales beach on Friday morning.
The shark attack took place at Lighthouse Beach in the Mid North Coast region of the state, about seven kilometres south of Port Macquarie.
Paramedics were called to the scene about 10am following reports of a male having sustained injuries after shark bites to the upper and lower leg.
Surf Life Saving NSW said the man was bitten while swimming at Watonga Rocks, south of Tacking Point.
The 44-year-old was rushed to Port Macquarie Base Hospital in a critical condition with “serious injuries” to the leg and foot.
Port Macquarie Hastings ALS Lifeguards issued a notice on Facebook advising the beach would be closed off to public for one day.
“Lighthouse Beach is closed due to a shark incident,” the post reads. “The closure will likely remain in place for at least 24 hours.
“A Surf Life Saving NSW drone will be operating to try to determine the size and species of the shark involved.
