Man dies in shark attack on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
SYDNEY, NSW, Australia – Tragedy struck Sydney’s Northern Beaches on Saturday morning as a man was fatally attacked by a large shark while surfing at Long Reef Beach, near Dee Why.
The devastating incident, the first of its kind in the Sydney area since 2022, has led to the immediate closure of beaches from Manly to Narrabeen and has sent a ripple of shock and grief through the local community.
Emergency services were called to the scene just after 10 a.m. following reports of a man suffering critical injuries in the water.
Eyewitness accounts suggest the victim, an unidentified surfer believed to be in his 50s, was brought to shore by fellow surfers who bravely rushed to his aid.
Despite their valiant efforts and the rapid response of paramedics, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses described a harrowing scene, with some surfers reportedly hearing a shark alarm and others observing the aftermath, including a crowd of onlookers and the presence of police and a rescue helicopter.
New South Wales Police have cordoned off the area and are working with experts from the Department of Primary Industries to investigate the attack and determine the species of shark involved.
As part of the ongoing investigation, two large sections of a broken surfboard, believed to belong to the victim, have been recovered and taken for examination.
The closure of multiple popular beaches is a precautionary measure to ensure public safety while authorities continue their assessment of the threat.
The attack marks a somber return of a rare but feared event to Sydney’s coastline. The last fatal shark attack in the city occurred in February 2022, when diving instructor Simon Nellist was killed off Little Bay. Prior to that, a similar tragedy had not occurred in the city since 1963.
While shark nets are in place at some Northern Beaches locations, Long Reef Beach is not one of them. The incident has reignited the perennial debate over shark safety measures and the balance between human recreation and marine life preservation.
As the community grapples with the loss, local surfers and beachgoers are left to mourn a fellow ocean lover.
The sentiment on the ground is a mix of sorrow, caution, and resilience, as people reflect on the unpredictable nature of the ocean.
Police have yet to release the victim’s name, pending formal identification and notification of next of kin.
This remains a developing story, and further updates are expected as police and fisheries experts continue their work.
The beaches will remain closed until authorities deem them safe for public access.
