Teenage surfer dies after shark attack off West Australian coast
A 17-year-old girl has died following a shark attack while she was surfing with her father off the coast of Western Australia, as the girl’s desperate mother and sisters watched from the beach.
The girl reportedly lost a leg in the attack that took place in a spot popular with surfers off Bandy Creek in the small town of Esperance, Western Australia. She was taken to hospital but died from her injuries, according to the West Australian newspaper.
17yo girl fighting for her life after Wylie Bay shark attack. #esperancepic.twitter.com/kCNdidIXa6
— Caitlyn Rintoul (@caitlynrintoul) April 17, 2017
This latest attack occurred in the same area where 23-year-old surfer, Sean Pollard, lost his right hand and left arm after being attacked by two sharks in 2014.
The coastline is known for sightings of great white sharks. The website Shark Smart WA has listed two sightings of a great white in the Esperance area over the last week.
The attack brings the number of people killed by sharks off the coast of WA since 2000 to 15. Australia has an average of less than two deadly shark attacks per year.
Esperance Police offered condolences to the friends and family of the victim on Twitter.
Condolences to the family and friends of the victim involved in today's tragedy from @EsperancePol. Devastating circumstances. #Fb
— Esperance Police (@EsperancePol) April 17, 2017
