Third shark attack feared in two days in Australia
SYDNEY (AFP) — A swimmer was rushed to hospital Monday after being bitten in what is believed to be the third shark attack off Australian beaches in just two days, police said.
The 25-year-old man's leg was torn in the attack as he snorkelled at Windang south of Sydney on the east coast, police spokesman John Klepczarek told national radio.
The victim "flagged down other boat users who have assisted the man to shore before calling emergency services," Klepczarek said.
"Police believe the bite may be from a shark but are yet to confirm this."
Swimmers were urged to avoid surrounding beaches while an aerial search was carried out for the shark.
On Sunday, two surfers survived separate shark attacks just two weeks after a snorkeller was killed by a large shark off the country's west coast.
A 31-year-old man's leg was badly ripped near Fingal Beach north of Sydney, while a 13-year-old girl was bitten on the leg by a five-metre (16-foot) great white shark in Tasmania.
The victim of the latest attack had about 50 puncture wounds in his calf and was in a stable condition in hospital, an ambulance spokeswoman said.
Some 194 people have died in shark attacks in Australia over the past two centuries.
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