Shark Bites Off Boy's Leg

[mrmoshe]

Shark bites off boy's leg

A 15-year-old boy has had his leg bitten off in a shark attack at a West Australian beach.

The boy was body surfing at Wharton beach at Duke of Orleans Bay, east of Esperance, on WA's remote south coast when the attack occurred about 7.30am (AWST) this morning.

A spokesman for WA Police said the boy's leg was bitten off just above the right knee.

"He has lost one of his legs," he said.

Stephen Luke from St John Ambulance said the boy was taken to hospital with a police escort.

The boy, a tourist from South Australia, was with his brother, 18, and 15-year-old friend, about 40 metres from the beach when he was attacked by an unknown type of shark.

He was helped from the surf by friends and several tourists who applied first aid, police said.

Surf Life Saving WA chief Paul Andrew said sharks were known to inhabit the area.

He said the boy was taken to the Esperance Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The boy is now being transferred by air to Royal Perth Hospital for further treatment.

The beach has been closed and a helicopter has been organised to try and locate the shark.