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A 65-year-old man who was bitten by a shark while he was surfing on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales is "quite happy" and in stable condition.
Police said the man was attacked just off Booti Booti after 9:00am.
He managed to swim to shore and contacted emergency services.
He was treated for puncture wounds to his foot and arm and airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in stable condition.
The Department of Primary Industries said its assessment confirmed a great white shark was responsible for the attack.
Yesterday, there were four reported shark sightings at Forster, 10 kilometres north of Booti Booti, where the man was attacked today.
Graham Nickerson, from the Westpac Rescue Service, said the victim was in good spirits despite his ordeal.
"Apparently the shark came up under his board, snapped his board in two and then dragged him under by the leg rope," Mr Nickerson said.
"He's quite happy … considering what he's been through, but he's got pretty severe lacerations to his lower limbs, but he's in a stable condition."
Mr Nickerson said the surfer was already thinking of returning to the ocean.
"He did mention to us that he needs another surfboard, which is pretty evidenced when you see the pictures of the surf board snapped in two with a large bite out of it," he said.
The beach has been closed until further notice.
Topics: shark, forster-2428
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