NSW: Teenager pulled from ocean after being mauled by shark
By Kim Christian, Stephanie Gardiner and Adam Bennett01 Mar 2009 4:31 PM
SYDNEY, March 1 AAP - A man dragged his son to shore after the teenager was mauled by a shark during an early morning surf, in the third shark attack in Sydney in as many weeks.
Andrew Lindop, 15, screamed when the shark, believed to be about 2m long, bit deeply into his leg while he was surfing off North Avalon beach at about 6.45am (AEDT) on Sunday.
His father, who had just caught a wave, heard the scream and turned around to see his son "thrashing about in the water", police said.
The man, who was not injured, dragged his son to shore where surf club members wrapped beach towels around the bite wound to stem the bleeding.
Andrew was expected to undergo surgery to his left thigh after being rushed to Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) by helicopter.
The shark bite went through to the bone and marine specialists will examine the wound to determine the species and exact size of the shark, police said.
Family friend Alan Low, an Avalon resident, said the man saw the attack on his son.
"He turned around and his son was being hit," Mr Low told AAP.
"He obviously went to his assistance and got him out.
"He got hit in the ankle, the calf and the hip."
A hospital spokesman said the 15-year-old was in a stable condition with wounds to the upper left thigh and leg.
"He'll go into surgery after suffering soft tissue damage," he said.
Surfer David Rundall said he had just finished surfing at the southern end of the beach when he saw two men rushing from the water.
"The young man was so stoic, I've just got to say that he was a credit to his family and to the rest of the surfers around here," Mr Rundall told ABC Radio.
"When we asked him about the pain in terms of one out of 10, he said it was a 10."
A surf lifesaver helicopter later patrolled the northern beaches looking for the shark.
Avalon Beach would be closed for at least 24 hours while nearby Newport, Bilgola, Bungan, Whale Beach and Palm Beach were closed until further notice.
Three hours after the attack, hundreds of swimmers took part in the Sydney Harbour Swim Classic after event organisers decided to go ahead with the race because the incident did not occur in the harbour.
Maroubra Beach in Sydney's east was also closed for 20 minutes on Sunday morning after an unconfirmed shark sighting.
NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said it was disturbing to have three attacks in three weeks.
"We've started further work on the harbour and along the coast to get some idea of what is happening along our coast in relation to shark numbers and the potential for attacks on humans," he said.
The Avalon attack has prompted the state opposition and the Australian Aerial Patrol to renew calls for increased funding for regular fixed wing aerial patrols and to re-examine the use of shark nets.
But NSW Premier Nathan Rees said the current level of funding was adequate.
He said he would consult with Mr Macdonald about increasing aerial patrols but "the advice to me is that aerial patrols currently are more than adequate".
Mr Rees urged swimmers to avoid going in the water at dawn and dusk, times when the three recent Sydney attacks occurred.
"Sharks are out there and if you put yourself in their domain at dawn and dusk then the risk is higher," he told reporters.
Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett said Australians needed to take greater care in the water particularly now that many of its major waterways had been cleaned up.
"There is an extra degree of caution required," Mr Garrett said.
Navy clearance diver Paul de Gelder was lucky to survive after being mauled by a 2.7-metre bull shark off Garden Island, in Sydney Harbour, on February 11, causing him to lose a hand and leg.
Just a day later, 33-year-old surfer Glenn Orgias was attacked by a 2.5m great white that shook him and nearly severed his left hand.
