Witnesses have told police a surfer was attacked by a “massive” shark in chest-deep water at a remote beach east of Esperance on Western Australia’s south coast.
WAtoday understands several people witnessed the attack at Wharton Beach in an incident that dragged on for minutes.
Wharton Beach at Duke of Orleans Bay near Esperance.Credit: Getty
The man’s surfboard – which had bite marks on it – was found floating in the water, but the surfer remains missing.
Police received a call about a surfer in distress about 12.10pm on Monday.
“It is believed the surfer was the victim of a serious shark bite incident,” a police spokeswoman said.
Police, Marine Rescue WA and State Emergency Service personnel are currently searching the ocean for the missing surfer.
Ambulances rushed to the scene, with a St John WA spokeswoman confirming two crews had been dispatched to Condingup, which is about an hour’s drive east of Esperance.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development confirmed it was investigating a “shark bite incident” at Duke of Orleans Bay after being alerted about 12.25pm.
