Human remains have been found after a horrific shark attack in New South Wales, Australia, with a witness saying the animal was "bitten to the body" and had "blood everywhere".
New South Wales Police have said that a swimmer has been killed by a shark in a gruesome attack in New South Wales, Australia.
New South Wales Police said emergency services were called to Buchan Point near Little Bay, which is south east of Sydney, following reports of a shark attack at 4.35pm. local time February 16
A statement from New South Wales Police at 6.00 pm. Confirmed that human remains were found in the water. Little Bay Beach has been closed as officers continue to search the area.
A witness, Chris Linto, told 9News: "Somebody was swimming and a shark came and attacked him directly. We heard a shout and looked back as if a car had gone into the water, a big splash then the shark kissed There was body and there was blood everywhere."
Another witness, who was not named, was fishing in the area at the time of the incident. ABC News reported that he said he saw a swimmer being dragged underwater by a large shark.
"When he went down there was a lot of splashing," he told the broadcaster. "It was terrible, I'm trembling. I keep vomiting, it's so disturbing."
The attack lasted for several seconds.
A NSW Ambulance spokeswoman told the Sydney Morning Herald: "Unfortunately this person had horrific injuries and when we arrived there was not much paramedics could do."
No further information is available at this time.
In a statement emailed to Newsweek, the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (DPI) said it was working with police and Surf Life Saving to monitor the area and provide resources, including the deployment of drumlines in the area. Can be done "DPI extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends and first responders at this sad time," it said.
The waters in New South Wales are teeming with sharks at this time of year. Bull sharks particularly prefer the shallow coastal waters around Sydney as they are attracted by the warm temperatures during summer and autumn. Once the water cools in winter, they usually leave the harbor and move north.
New South Wales Police said it would liaise with the Department of Primary Industries to investigate the circumstances surrounding the swimmer's death. He said a report would also be prepared for the coroner.
When it comes to shark attack deaths, Australia is the deadliest place in the world. More than 700 unprovoked shark attacks have been recorded since 1900, resulting in more than 170 deaths. Hundreds more have been seriously injured.
However, this is the first death from a shark attack in Sydney since 1963.
According to Australia First Aid, it is currently "peak time" for shark attacks. They usually occur in the summer, between November and April, when people swim more, and there are more sharks in and around the beaches.