Shark attack at Nambucca Heads leaves man in serious condition with leg injury
A surfer is in a serious condition after suffering deep lacerations to his leg in a shark attack at Nambucca Heads on the New South Wales mid north coast.
The 36-year-old was surfing near a breakwall at the river mouth when the attack happened about 7:00am.
A spokesperson for Surf Life Saving NSW, Donna Wishart, said three or four surfers were in the water at the time of the attack.
"One of them has seen him disappear under the water, with a flume of water spraying up and then the victim has lifted his arm up to indicate he was having a problem," she said.
The surfers dragged the man up onto the rocks of the breakwall where a long-standing member of the Nambucca Heads Surf Lifesaving Club applied a tourniquet.
Ms Wishart said a pod of dolphins had been seen in the area before the attack.
Nabucca Rivermouth. Photo Flikr/Ken Hodge
NSW Ambulance Chief Inspector Brian Parsell said the man suffered five deep lacerations to his lower leg.
Chief Inspector Parsell said the man lost "a fair amount of blood" in the attack and received a blood transfusion at the scene before being airlifted to hospital.
The helicopter crew were going to stop en route at Port Macquarie to pick up more blood products, he said.
"The most important priority for this gentleman is to stabilise the bleeding, get that under control as best we can, but what we do know is he needs to be rushed to theatres on arrival at John Hunter Hospital.
A spokeswoman from the NSW Department of Primary Industries said authorities were not sure what type of shark was responsible for the attack.
She said the man's injuries would be inspected to help determine the species.
Beaches in the area have been closed and extra aerial and jet ski patrols are being conducted.
© Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved.
Comments
Always felt a little sharky in that neck of the woods. Hope the bloke's OK.
Water was green and spooky as where i was this morning ,hope the guy is o.k.
A clean morning of waves after a few days of early onshores. Surfed a quiet break nth of Coffs, water not that clear despite days of fine weather. Felt a little sharky. Best wishes to the fella on a quick recovery.
Ambos praised the patient Joel "Shark Bait".
They also praised the Lifeguard and the first response tourniquet that saved his life.
Even still he lost a lot of blood they say..
A bit sharky is right! Locals interviewed agree!
Another Shark attack site fed by another golf course.
Stuart's Island Golf Course sits in the throat of Nambucca River.
Blood'n'Bone/Fish'n'Foul 'Burley' Island runoff would stir up a shark frenzy.
Oceanside Golf Courses need 100% runoff traps filtering zero Shark Burley Mix.
The Lakes also feed phosphorous into the river harbouring ocean mouth sharks.
No longer coincidence! 4 corners will tide fishy scent back to the greenkeepers.
Oz Golf should be binning their Burley Brew before another attack! Please!
Wave of the Day has commercial beach haulers lurking. It's a bit late in the year in for mullet , and those big blue ice bins the boys cart around this time of year are reserved for baitfish catches.
3rd attack at this spot ?
2nd, I think.
tubeshooter is right Mullet season has set dates April 1- Aug 31
Fair to say it also has set Fishermen.
Friendly locals one & all.
Say Hi to Ben' Marwell's family been at it since the 1930's S' Straddie to Border
Say Hi to Ol' mate Dave runs from Border to Evans Head since early 1980's
North Straddie run by the Perry Family since when.
Free fishing tip from Ben: When the Eagles perch on Kirra Lamp-posts your on.
Free surfing tip from Ben: When the Mullet are on so to are the Sharks..He warns ya!
Legends the lot!
Dolphins sighted in a pod= sharks trailing them if they are feeding. Data evidence shows this relationship. Also surfed a creek mouth last week & hastily exited as huge mullet run appeared just 300m down the beach from the peak! Hope the victim @ Nambucca has a complete recovery!
Not all attacks are in files...files list two attacks in area (Offshore/1961 +Mouth/2001)
Several attacks at a 'Shelly beach'. Six/seven NSW beach towns share that name.
I couldn't trace one to here. re: Shelly Beach-(Ballina/Crescent Head/Gosford)
My research shows there's always more attacks than 1/2/3 files combined
Note I exhausted several files for our swellnet GC file & still has several more entries.
On that point I uncovered another recent incidental GC shark death that all missed.
I read that Clubbie was likely knocked off board by Shark in 2013 lake drowning.
Since then we know it's a trait for local Bull Sharks to have a go the paddle craft.
Witness say victim came back up & went straight back down.
Talk of shark was played down by Lifesavers for obvious reasons.
One being they never wanted to lose training venue another being liability.
First they deny chest pains until Shark was mentioned then quickly utter chest pains.
I'll post link as this is not considered a Shark incident nor attack,others beg to differ.
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/jerry-dennis-fourth-teen-...
I have trouble making much sense of Trueblues postings however I did a quick bit of research and the Coroners report does not mention a shark..
Whatever the cause of the cardiomegaly (enlarged heart), the presence of the fibrosis puts the heart at risk of developing an arrhythmia (abnormal beating), which can be fatal of itself or can cause unconsciousness, which can be fatal if the person is in a dangerous environment such as in water where they can drown. In my opinion, the direct cause of his death was drowning, likely secondary to arrhythmia of his enlarged heart causing him to become unconscious in the water.
"I find that Jerry Arthur Dennis died at Lake Wonderland Canal at about 4.25 pm on Thursday 1 August 2013 when he was taking part in a training session with Northcliffe Surf Life Saving Club. I find that he became unconscious and fell into the water and drowned. The cause of death was drowning due to or as a consequence of cardiomegaly. The other significant condition found at autopsy was asthma with recent respiratory tract infection. "
I know Benny and Dave well,. Beach haulers are on alert up and down the seaboard. However I,m "guessing" that the likely culprit could be a bronzie. The area is known for them in bait season.
Courier Mail reported: There was talk of a possible shark attack.
I downgraded that to incidental & said it was not considered an attack despite news.
The rest involving training was & still is common talk within GCCC/SLSC circles.
In fact they were told by GCCC officer that Tallebudgera Ck was a less sharky option.
So a number of reasons I sought assistance for clarity.
I thank joesydney for getting to the heart of the matter
My apology to the Dennis Family & Northcliffe Surf Club.
Further News Reports...
*The Mother was given conflicting info from the outset by the same Coroners
*About Genetic Heart condition?
*Coroners report was to be delayed to finish in 6 months from 1/Aug/2013 >(Feb/14)
*Coroners report was delayed another year longer to 11/Feb 2015...
*Mother expressed she couldn't cancel son's contracts without a death certificate
This was a mystery to the coroners as soon as you start reading it!
I'm no expert on heart or heart attacks nor if faced with a shark it could bring one on?
But if the mother wasn't convinced with genetic heart condition within family?
I merely followed a line of inquiry born from the media of the day as again here.
I was easily led by assumption of Shark involvement as it was warranted.
Mermaid Waters has had 3 attacks + Nearby lakes 2 attacks + Nearby River 5 attacks
Paddle/oar craft have featured in these attacks by way of sharks attacking craft.
Again I sincerely apologize if I led any astray on such a serious matter. {R.I.P} Jerry.
As for my posts...
Doctors advise me to quit posting so I guess they'd advise against any reading one.
Bugger them I say as I'm losing options of communication.
I prefer craft/writing/drawing all now impossibly painful & way too exhausting.
I've never owned a mobile phone as I'm unable to jiggle & twiddle the darn thing.
Rest assured we incurable disabled outpatients would be glad to tick any box.
Still not too buggered to wish 'Shark Bait' a speedy recovery.
& thank you for your posts TBB, they show a deep level of research. If the Docs say stop, is there a way you can limit or slow the posting? Or keep it within the thresholds of pain? I've enjoyed the information you bring, and tbh am scratching my head over how you find it! This from someone who would go through parliamentary papers from the 1840's researching his degree...
In terms of heart attacks, they can be confused with anxiety attacks. They can be brought on by strenuous activity, or by stress. Increased risk during solar storms. Increased risk by flying a lot. Increased risk by diet or sometimes blood/heart disorders, like the young fellow apparently had.
Do you still get to bodysurf a bit?
On topic, mum, a QLD farm girl, said "Never surf at the rivermouth or dawn, or dusk." So naturally I am out on the rivermouth, at dusk, when the tiger shark surfaces and glides by. Mum is always right! & I hope the fellow in this attack is ok and recovers, and has someone watching over him.
Listen to mum VJ.
Thanks VelocityJohnno I also enjoy reading yours and many swellnet comments.
Free search Tip. Old guard are gone. Chix have no ego so are free to rewrite history.
I often stumble upon reports by Chix refreshing inclusive honest take on history!
Open Reply! (re:VJ)(Fellow swellnetonians look away now) Repairs Workshop...
*Myositis is swollen muscles that comatose body into Lethargy. Raise a hand,not me!
*Bipolar as you can read runs everyone into the ground no less me.
*Central Serous Retinopathy wobbles these words & the lines in my room.(Tiring)
*Labyrinthitis has me spinning every which way.(Think mobile Vertigo!)...also tiring
*Sleep Apnea is very tiring it requires me donning Mask + sleep cube
*Bent Septum blocks air,again tiring enough to await a Rhinoplasty do over.
*I beat Asthma!(No puffer) + Other stuff is even more boring but manageable.
Easy to read that I wish to sleep forever & never have to wake..(That's my Heaven)
Surfing
I can't walk in or out of the surf that good at all & it's noticeably getting pathetic.
I mostly Swim a sideways surface stroke with squirm no overarm or kicking
Good example being today as I circled the same massive rip 5 times without issue.
Mostly I cradle the take off with little to no effort.
For must have waves I chalm burleybodybashinbunyip (Translate: the beast within)
Lifeguards/Boardriders:'best I've ever seen' + 'I've never seen anyone do that before!'
Bodybash'n #1 rule is no claim! Shh! finger hypnotizes ('Sorry! Didn't see ya mate!')
I can promise to detox every inch of a wave from Chandelier to Trap door.
Fellow basherz have no complaints as we all share our bounty & burdens!
True friend velocityjohnno if Life's good for you then it just got better for me!
Crikey! That sounds like a Hallmark card...I'm a lot sicker than I thought!
Anyhow! All our mortal woes combined are insignificant...Merry Xmas Bite Club!
re: Above post 10/Dec/2018 @ 2:04pm
2001 Same locale & similar attack on Surf Shop Owner Mr Richard Ellis @ The Bar
*Pod of dolphins then bitten on leg/Calf then applied Leggie Tourniquet.(Say What!)
http://sharkattackfile.net/spreadsheets/pdf_directory/2001.04.02.a-Ellis...
In the wash up from recent attack Mr Ellis relives that haunting feeling with ABC.
We thank Mr Ellis for sharing ...(Telling interview makes for eerie reading!)
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-09/shark-attack-at-nambucca-heads/10...
I recently heard report of a surfer being attacked by a shark whilst up and riding at Smokey Cape beach near South West Rocks about a month ago .
Apparently he was unharmed but his board was damaged .
And another at Coffs Harbour near Gallows yesterday .
Can anyone confirm these attacks please ?
Gallows yes, it bit his board, lucky he was sitting up or would of bitten his lower leg. Photos on the dorsal app.
7am new years day.
Thanks , Robo.
Lucky bugger ! Strangely enough , I always lie down when I think there’s something prowling, thinking that the board would be a shield of sorts.
I do the same, I’d have thought laying flat keeping limbs out of water was less chance of having one as a target.
In saying that most victims would have no idea there’s something menacing underneath and when I’m doing the flat pancake it’s cause i think / have seen something
I live nearby and you need to be sensitive to the hours you surf when there is food gushing out of a river...7am is really 6am at present and the critters are still active and at the end of their feeding peak. Some places need more thought than others.
TBB I just read your post from Dec 2018 - hope you are feeling better! Have you got into the water much? I wonder... with those symptoms I would imagine you've looked into all sorts of healing?
Back to sharks, over NY period Channel 7 did a doco on the WA attacks over the years, which I thought was pretty good. Seeing the old spots, seeing the families, was quite emotional as I was taken back to each spot I loved, one where I was lined up with a surface approach when out alone. The boys with the footage out of Gero too, that was mad! And the research, the mottled blue/green wetties, very interesting.
velocityjohnno thanks a million...always feel better amongst the crew!
Myositis is slowly crippling seemingly paralysing.(Very much resembles FLU muscle weakness,aches,numb head & dizzy spells only each day is slowly worse never ever better).
tbb's world gets smaller by the day...Not worked in years & haven't surfed in over 6 months. Limited to 10km drive range & about 300m walk + can't walk thru sand or uphills & ignore housework or yard tidy & grooming. Worst of all...can't draw or write what the mind dreams up.
Strangely yes! tbb does get in the water (Pool) most days...(Yesterday twice)
Water is the best therapy to relax the muscles since start of Nov been doing 30min reasonable workout but each groundhog day gets harder never easier...don't discount tbb getting another surf in. That's everyone's plan & yes tbb is committed to one Summer session (swellnet NYE resolution)...mostly just wishful thinking! Thanx crew!
....................................................................................................................................................................
Back to Sharks...Part II
As a result tbb has spent more time online & felt the need to post [shark warnings] for East & S/W. (tbb Qld shark timeline reveals record 12 attacks for year!) Spate of 17
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2018/02/27/factfile-fact...
re: Blowin -notes only..not complete...re: last 2 on NSW Timeline.
17th Feb 2019 Belongil Beach Byron (Juvenile Great White) Chomped board
https://www.coastalwatch.com/surfing/25353/byron-bay-shark-attack-there-...
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/surfer-airlifted-to-hospital-after-s...
2nd June 2019 Manly (Swimmer in training group) Possibly a grey nurse.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/manly-beach-closed-after-man-reports...
5th June 2019 Lennox Head Attack (Lunch/Arvo) Injuries (Bully was mentioned)
19th Sept 2019 Coffs region..surfer escapes shark by scampering onto rocks
3rd Oct 2019 Seal Rocks (Mid N'Coast - "Rocks"+ timeframe +Charge'n'chomp)
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/it-just-rammed-me-surfers-narro...
https://www.trackingsharks.com/white-shark-attacks-surfer-in-near-seal-r...
More of this attack on above swellnet file link...
2020
1 Jan 2020 Gallows Beach
https://www.facebook.com/nbntelevision/posts/10157939573348331
Sure! E+S/W are hot spots but inshore size,range,sightings has lately increased.
We're not counting bull sharks here, these are 2.5-3.5m whites.
[swellnet exclusive claim] There is evidence that surfers are grouping more near patrolled beaches in summer but also more relaxed in groups about sharing line-ups with sharks and refuse to be warned off by authorities...large white sharks are drawing up close & personal with surfers fully aware and simply carry on surfing with the shark. tbb also notes that it may just be drones can exhibit this bond more closely than before. (Not saying it's new, just new to observe this mutual respect with drone media!) tbb is calling it out either way! Very much worth examining if this correlates with diver's shark kinship.
Tbb is in no way suggesting to ignore [BEACH CLOSED] directives...just saying...
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-11/surfers-under-fire-for-ignoring-w...
Drought dries up freshwater then heat bakes phosphate caked soils that wind crumbles & mixes like Milo into saltwater - tiding Sharks further inshore & up river.
Summer is busier so more shark sightings closer to surfers are observed.
Shark Breeding season explains larger river mouth mature shark sightings
https://www.portnews.com.au/story/6563129/bull-shark-breeding-begins-whi...
tbb is trying to track upriver larger Shark sightings...been a few of late like this...
31 Dec 2019 Giant mama Bull Shark (9 babies) 50kms up Hastings River
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7839979/Fishermen-capture-huge-...
29 Dec 2019 5kms up Richmond River another Big Bully bosses the scene.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/large-bull-shark-lurking-in-richm...
Sure tbb is no longer Shark Food but can point out who is!...Take care this Summer!
Not promoting Dorsal but recommend you keep one eye on it with the size of this season's beasties.
Sorry to hear about your illness tbb. I’ve been taking more time to read your posts lately and they are now starting to make sense to me!
Earlier I couldn’t unwrap what u were saying.
I hope you get in for a surf during the year and things start looking up for you health wise.
After the depressing start to the year I think there needs to be more positivity on here between commenters.
Thinking about what some people are going through at the moment has left me and other people I know in an emotionally drained fog.
It’s so fucked up the state that the countries in right now
I hope you get that surf in TBB. Or even just a paddle, nothing better than warm sun on your back and salty eyelashes.
Regards work TB, have you considered putting it out there and doing something meaningful from home? I reckon you'd be a great researcher or conversely, archivist. Having work always makes play better.
Anyway, hope 2020 sees light at the end of the tunnel for you rather than a train coming the other way.
TBB - Thanks for your thorough documentation of our surfing lives .
Hope you power through the adversity, mate.
Hey TBB, thanks for the reply. Would you mind if I send PM (if Stu OK to pass it on?)
Perhaps some of my story might help you or trigger a lightbulb moment?
Shark wise, have been in water with 2 in recent years on this Vic coast, I don't feel threatened half as much as in WA. Touch wood.
Off topic: Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain have been given evacuation orders in the last two hours, hope everyone is OK, you can see the nearby fire on the 360 degree cam:
https://mthotham.roundshot.com/
There has been several sightings and some guys were chased in along the Tweed Coast these last couple days. Stay safe out there friends.
[Sharks....please continue beneath]
This being tbb's swellnet crew reply (Sorry!)
It's because of the crew that tbb contributes to #1 swellnet surf archives.
Sure! A baptism of fire, greets most to the lineup...but this is surfing as it is!
We treasure velocityjohnno's surf history & tbb lives for a PM during visiting hours.
Blowin, zenagain, goofyfoot all champs + whole swellnet crew are very supportive.
You guys are smarter than most & deep down you know tbb cuts out the middle man
From first oz/world surf cultures to latest surf incident, all presented freely here.
tbb timelines Whales/Sharks/Wave Pools/Surf Olympics etc are exclusive to swellnet.
No Aust library,Magz ,Books,Sites has such up to the minute peer reviewed papers.
Most are a year behind & forever lacking detail...lucky to read half of what went down!
Eg: tbb is recording + reporting on Palm Beach Reef erosion as it happens.
Our Council has not uttered one word during this $30m / 20 metre beach loss.
Only swellnetonians can both read & see this playing out, then judge for themselves.
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2019/08/23/watch-palm-be...
Peer review eg: Check out WOTD/WOTL (Get away with nothing...a blood bath it is!)
https://www.swellnet.com/forums/wax/161446?page=28
Here your research or designs, jokes must stand or fall,whatever shape they take...
If yer wrong...only a matter of minutes...apologize & move on...Gotta luv that!
Surfers are your Judge, Jury, Executioner...(Punishment- is no more than 5 trolls)
We all duck'n'cover when next victim levers latest Gizmo onto the swellnet stage...
('That pile of shit is gonna sink mate!') Well Durr! Pro Legend's ego deflates before us!
#1 swellnet - Forecasters, Reports, Surf Cams, Webcasts, Conveners, Comp organisers, Journos, Musos, Photographers, Researchers, Commentators, Hardcore Surf Chix + shit stirrers & on.
Yep! This is where tbb/s research is most welcomed & respected...Here's just fine!
Names, Job or wotnots, no matter as swellnet surf history is the people's history.
It's is here where tbb finds the strength to contribute when possible...(Violins)
End of season you see 100% of tbb's worth in the timelines. Not pretty, it is what it is!
Fact remains swellnet histories are ahead of Govt + offer more complete accounts.
Many contributions & debates by the crew increase awareness of our surfing world.
Think Jet Ski Jumpers...swellnet is your 1st research port...not Libraries/News/Magz.
Likely to log Days/Times/Numbers/Riders Names...where else puts out that info?
Quite a few students join the swellnet crew for Study purposes of all manner!
tbb's trade off is Local Town & Bodysurf histories is held in reserve.
Promise to swellnetonians Shaun & friends to soon dust off tbb's unfathomobile.
Being a shark page tbb is obliged to get this back onto NSW /Shark theme...
re: Crescent Head Whale story of the year...tbb salutes the community effort!
2019 Oz Whale beachings Timeline...(Exclusive to swellnet)
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2018/11/22/buried-whale-...
Keep em coming tbb ,
A completely inimitable style that discerns you from the pack and challenges those who can't read between the lines...
Yep keep up the researching TBB!
Cheers for the steering over to Beachgrit, seems they've been running a sharkocalypse special series of articles over Christmas and holidays. Real town of Amity stuff. If only that popup video wouldn't appear when you go there, you wonder if your computer has AIDS as it slows down choking on it, and if you should've used a Tor browser...
TBB, I'm with the others in wishing you the best and hope besides the pool time you can get some salty sea time in 2020. Appreciate the research and work you do in being thorough in past articles and discussion.
On another note not good news from Esperance this arvo.
5th Jan.
lostdoggy's cyber tbb is now a motivational calendar..
Made a miraculous recovery...'now a Megalomaniac.
tbb didn't forget the crew...you each get a blue groupie.
See ya in the line-up, definitely...never felt better.
#1 swellnet.
7th Jan
tbb almost relapsed during a Pool session.
20kt multi directional rebound down-draft! Check!
3" cross jet A frames! Check! & Check! (So Sweet!)
No Gromz! Check...Let's Pool Grovel...................
Circling Turbo Shark! Check! ..."TURBO SHARK!"
Supposedly an extinct 2014 species.
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0704/5013/products/pool-toys-swimways-...
How does a plastic pool shark get to live longer than a real one?
How does a battery survive 6 years in a pool?
Here's the thing! Only the crew knew of tbb's spot X.
All here wanted tbb outta the slobbery microwave pool.
Plan backfired as shark pushed tbb onto a PB lap time.
tbb knows what the crew got up to this summer!
Hahah
Haha.
I might have missed if it was posted on Swellnet, but that leg found at Mylestrom in December came from a spear fisherman off Bundaberg, Qld.
Condolences to his family.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6554915/human-leg-found-on-nsw-be...
Swellnet = industry standard
TBB = verifiable fact-check
Beach grit = Steep incline from shallow periphery to uninteresting garbage.
Freeride...abandon ship before they drag you down . You’re cutting edge. I don’t know where else for you to go if they can’t afford you / refuse to employ you on Swellnet. It’s your natural home !
Between Reilly’s ambiguity and Smith’s Inconsequence your talent is wasted. You are gold filigree amongst the lumpen lead which is the overweighted ship of Beachgrit. They don’t give a fuck , their writing reveals their priorities .....grab a lifeboat before the frantic rush. Their site is built on the assumption of down wind market support which will never eventuate .
Blowin you’re right about Beachgrit, I used to be a big fan but they’ve gone downhill big time. it’s shithouse these days
lostdoggy lol!
perhaps I will get to the genuine barrel on a twinny vibration level in a later incarnation...
That one was bait for Stu :)
Haha, and it also illustrates an archetype of impossible challenge :)
More devotion to the great master Rasta is required