Shark fatally attacks man in Australia, with frightened cries of "leave me alone" echoing nearby
In a tragic turn of events, emergency services responded to reports of a man in his 50s suffering critical injuries following a shark attack at Long Reef Beach in Sydney on Saturday morning. The victim, identified as Mercury Psillakis, a father and an experienced surfer, died at the scene after being brought to shore.
The incident, believed to be the first in New South Wales this year, took place shortly after 10am (1am in the UK). Witness Mark Morgenthal reported hearing screams of "don't bite me" before the attack.
Mr. Morgenthal described the shark as one of the biggest he had ever seen, with a distance between the dorsal and tail fin estimated to be about four meters, suggesting a six-meter shark.
The police and wildlife experts have linked the shark attack case in Australia to potentially three dangerous local species: tiger sharks, bull sharks, and great white sharks. The exact species is still under investigation.
The man lost multiple limbs as a result of the attack. Two sections of a surfboard have been recovered and taken for examination.
The man's body was recovered from the surf by others. Beaches near the area are currently closed as drones search for the shark.
Local surfer Bill Sakula expressed shock and concern about the incident. Sunday, being Father's Day, adds to the tragedy of the incident. New South Wales Police Superintendent John Duncan called the incident a "terrible tragedy".
Mr. Psillakis was accompanied by several friends when he went surfing. He is survived by a wife and a young daughter.
Surf Life Saving NSW has deployed a drone to search for further shark activity in the area. The last fatal shark attack in Sydney occurred in February 2022, marking the city's first fatal attack since 1963.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mercury Psillakis during this difficult time.
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