Junior surf champion Sam Morgan underwent surgery and is currently in an induced coma in a Gold Coast hospital, after being mauled by a shark off Ballina yesterday evening.
The 20-year-old was surfing at Lighthouse Beach between 6.15-6.30pm (AEDT), when the attack occurred. Morgan was bitten on the left thigh but was able to make it back to the beach, where he was assisted by several off-duty lifesavers.
Morgan was taken to Ballina District Hospital, and then airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital, where he was operated on last night in an attemp to save his leg.
Witnesses from the beach reported seeing teeth marks in Morgan’s board. According to biologists, it is likely the attacker was a bull shark, between 2.8 and 3.1 metres in length.
Meanwhile, NSW north coast surfing clubs have criticised the State Government for not applying shark-deterrent technology. It is worth mentioning that there were three shark sightings in the area on Tuesday, and 11 other shark attacks so far this year along the same stretch of coast- two of which fatal.
Source: ABC, Pedestrian.TV
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