A professional surfer has been rushed to hospital after being bitten by a shark at a well-known Western Australian beach, in what authorities have called an “extremely rare” attack.
Max Marsden, 30, was attacked at Lucy’s Beach near Geraldton, north of Perth, by the shark early on Sunday morning.
A friend, who was on short at the time, reported the attack around 7.30am after helping Mr Marsden exit the beach.
The beach itself is not accessible by car.
Authorities believe the shark which attacked him was a 1.5m Bronze Whaler.
Mr Marsden was taken to Geraldton Regional Hospital with non-life threatening injuries and later discharged.
He is now recovering at home and is in “good spirits”.
The incident is being investigated by the state’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn told the ABC it was an “extremely rare and isolated event”.
“In Geraldton, this is the first shark attack in quite some time,” he said.
“The location where the shark attack took place is a very isolated place, so any monitoring of it would probably be unfeasible.”
The beach was closed after the attack and will re-open on Monday.
Residents have been asked to “exercise caution and obey all warning signs and directions”.
Mr Van Styn said Mr Marsden was “in good spirits,” despite the attack.
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