A man has been rushed to hospital following a reported shark attack off a popular beach on the NSW Mid-North Coast this morning.
The man, believed to be aged in his 40s, was at Lighthouse Beach, south of Port Macquarie, when he was reportedly bitten by a shark.
A NSW Ambulance spokesperson reportedly said the man had suffered lower leg injuries, and was rushed to Port Macquarie Base Hospital.
Tacking Point Surf Lifesaving Club, which manages Lighthouse Beach, announced about 11.30am on Friday the beach was closed.
“Please be aware that Lighthouse Beach is currently closed due to a shark attack,” the club wrote on Facebook.
“Non-fatal (attack), thank goodness, but please stay out of the water.”
The nearby Port Macquarie Hastings ALS Lifeguards confirmed later that the closure would likely stay in place for 24 hours.
“A Surf Life Saving NSW drone will be operating to try to determine the size and species of the shark involved,” lifeguards said.
A witness told radio station 2GB a group of men were surfing at the popular beach when a shark attacked them.
The witness said the shark tried to attack the group a second time as the group paddled to shore.