A young surfer has been bitten by a great white shark on the New South Wales Central Coast.
The Central Coast Council said on Wednesday that Avoca and North Avoca beaches were closed following the “shark bite incident” on Wednesday morning.
“Our thoughts are with the young surfer involved,” the council tweeted. “Avoid both beaches at this time until the incident can be further investigated.”
Avoca and North Avoca beaches are currently closed following a shark bite incident at approx. Today at 10.30 am. Our thoughts are with the young surfer involved. Please avoid both beaches at this time until the incident can be further investigated. #staysafe #ccbeaches pic.twitter.com/EIuADqGtw4
— CentralCoastCouncil (@CCoastCouncil) August 31, 2022
The council said the surfer “suffered an injury to his lower right forearm”.
“A UAV [drone] The operator has been deployed to North Avoca beach for further search.”
A NSW Ambulance spokesman said paramedics responded to a shark bite at North Avoca Beach about 7am on Wednesday. The teenager suffered puncture wounds to his hand and went home before calling paramedics who took him to hospital.
“A teenager was treated for hand injuries and taken to Gosford Hospital,” the spokesman said.
Gosford Hospital on Wednesday afternoon said the teenager had been discharged.
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SHARK BITE: Early this morning we responded to a shark bite in North Avoca and treated a teenager for hand injuries. He was taken to Gosford Hospital. #nswambulance
— NSW Ambulance (@NSWAmbulance) August 31, 2022
The NSW Department of Primary Industries said shark biologists had determined a great white was likely responsible.
“NSW DPI shark biologists have assessed photographs of the teenager’s injuries and surfboard and determined that the indentations from the bite are indicative of a great white shark,” a spokesperson said.
DPI smart drum lines were set at Avoca and North Avoca shortly after 7am on Wednesday, as per standard practice, but no sharks had been caught, the spokesman said.
Surf Life Saving NSW used a drone to survey the area on Wednesday afternoon.