A tourist has had his foot bitten off by a shark while snorkelling in Australia.
The 28-year-old British man was one of two people attacked in the waters of Hook Passage in northern Queensland.
A 22-year-old British man also received serious injuries.
They were brought by boat to the town of Airlie Beach where paramedics were waiting. They were then taken by helicopter to Mackay Hospital around 950km form the city of Brisbane.
Their condition was described as serious but stable.
#AirlieBeach - Paramedics are assessing two patients following a reported shark bite incident. One patient is stable and the second is serious. The rescue helicopter has been tasked. pic.twitter.com/hHPqB9ONDw
— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) October 29, 2019
The Associated Press quoted the hospital as saying the older man had lost his foot in the attack. The younger man suffered serious lacerations to his calf.
The men were travelling with tour operator ZigZag Whitsundays.
In a statement the company said: “There was an incident involving two people in Hook Passage, we believe this was a shark incident.”
“Our first thoughts are with the two people involved in the incident and their welfare; as well as the other passengers and crew on the boat,” it said.
It said two other passengers on the tour were paramedics and provided immediate first aid to the victims.
“Immediate counselling support was arranged for the passengers and crew,” it said. “Their welfare is also our priority.”
“We would also like to commend the lightning response of our first responders and emergency services.
“Their efforts have ensured the two people have been able to receive expert medical treatment very quickly.”
It said Queensland Ambulance Service had confirmed that the men’s injuries are serious but non-life-threatening.
#Update1 - Two patients are being transported by road to a location on Proserpine Shute Harbour Road where they will meet up with the rescue helicopter. Both patients have sustained serious lower limb injuries and are in a serious condition.
— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) October 29, 2019
The shark attack comes almost a year after a Melbourne man was killed in the Whitsundays.
In September last year, a Tasmanian tourist and 12-year-old girl were attacked on consecutive days - the child lost a leg.
Additional reporting from IRN ...
