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The victim was spearfishing in the waters of the popular Fraser Island (file photo)
A man died after being attacked by a shark on Australia’s east coast, authorities say.
The 36-year-old man was bitten in the leg while fishing spearfishing in waters off Fraser Island in Queensland, north of Brisbane, police said Saturday.
A doctor and nurse provided first aid treatment on the coast, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene when paramedics arrived.
It is the fourth deadly shark attack in Australian waters so far this year.
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In a Facebook post on Saturday, Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said it was “a tremendously sad day for our community.”
He offered his condolences to the victim’s family and friends, adding that the loss of life was “a tragedy beyond words and we share his sadness and pain.”
Police said the victim died approximately two and a half hours after being bitten.
His body was flown by helicopter from Indian Head on the east side of the island to the coastal town of Hervey Bay in Queensland.
- How does the shark attack stop?
Sharks are common in Australian waters, but attacks are relatively rare.
Last month, a 60-year-old man died after he was mutilated by a 3m (10ft) great white shark while surfing in northern New South Wales.
In April, a 23-year-old Queensland ranger was killed in an attack on the Great Barrier Reef.
And in January, a 57-year-old diver was killed in Western Australia.
There were no deaths last year.
