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Shark savages WA surfer in latest attack

The latest in the spate of shark attacks making Australians think twice about going in the water has put a bodyboarder in hospital after being bitten at a beach south of Perth.

St John Ambulance says the injured man “suffered traumatic injuries to a foot and ankle” but his wounds were not assessed as being life-threatening.

He was flown by helicopter to Royal Perth Hospital, where his condition was not immediately available.

In recent weeks a young doctor lost his life while swimming at the Whitsunday Islands’ Cid Harbour, where locals have called for all tourists to be warned of the dangers lurking beneath the surface.

Two other people were also attacked in Cid Harbour, including a teenage girl who lost a leg and a Tasmanian woman. Those attacks happened mere hours apart.

The attack occurred off Pyramids Beach, Mandurah, south of Perth. Photo: Google

WA Police say the latest victim, aged in his 20s, was at Pyramids Beach at Dawesville about 8.30am on Sunday when he felt something grab his leg.

Damian Baker, who was on shore, said he saw two surfers  in the water when a big school of salmon swam by them.

“They were in chest-deep water, resting on their boards, watching the salmon school,” he told WA Today website.

“The shark alarm went off and I raced there with a couple of guys – the surf lifesavers were already there.

“He had been attacked on the lower part of the leg, with a couple of meaty bites.”

Surf Life Saving WA tweeted that Pyramids Beach would be closed for the next 24 hours due to “a shark encounter”.

Police originally said the man had been sitting on rocks with his legs dangling in the water when he felt his leg being grabbed.

-with AAP

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