A middle-aged surfer has tragically lost both legs in a shark attack that severed his surfboard, highlighting the dangers of aquatic sports.
Published On 6 Sep 2025
A surfer was fatally attacked by a large shark off the coast of Long Reef Beach in Sydney, Australia, on September 6, 2025. This incident has caused authorities to close several beaches in the area.
This marks only the second recorded fatal shark attack in Sydney, following a tragic incident in February 2022 that claimed the life of a British diving instructor—the first fatality in the city since 1963.
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Eyewitness reports indicate that he lost both legs during the encounter, with his surfboard being severed in half. The species of the shark involved remains undetermined.
Local media captured images of police and rescue teams at the scene, and drones were deployed to monitor the ocean for further shark activity, reported Australian broadcaster ABC.
The attack occurred in an unpatrolled section of the beach, according to Surf Life Saving NSW, prompting immediate safety concerns.
As a precaution, beaches from Manly to Narrabeen are closed for at least 24 hours, and nearby surf life-saving clubs have suspended all aquatic training and activities.
One surfer present during the incident revealed, “Four or five surfers helped pull him from the water. It was evident that a significant portion of his lower body had been attacked,” as reported by Sydney’s Daily Telegraph.
Notably, Australia has faced several fatal shark attacks in 2025, with three other incidents occurring in various locations across the country. In March, a surfer was killed on a remote beach in Western Australia, while a tragic incident in February claimed the life of a 17-year-old girl swimming off an island in eastern Australia.
Data compiled by the state-run Taronga Zoo reveals there have been over 1,280 shark-related incidents in Australia since 1791, with more than 250 resulting in fatalities.