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A surfer has been bitten by a shark and his surfboard snapped in two at a beach south of Forster on the NSW Mid North Coast.
But Colin Rowland, who suffered deep bite marks to his foot and arm, was still able to give the thumbs up as he was wheeled into hospital following the incident at Seven Mile Beach at Booti Point on Thursday morning.
Shark bite victim grateful to be alive
A surfer, 65, who was attacked by a shark near Forster on the mid NSW coast says he is 'a bit out of it' but grateful to be 'alive'. Courtesy: Seven News.
"I'm a bit out of it at the moment, but I'm alive, that's the main thing," the 62-year-old said, shortly after landing at John Hunter Hospital.
Police and paramedics were called to Seven Mile Beach, in the Booti Booti National Park, about 9.20am to reports that a man had been attacked by a shark.
Mr Rowland, who is a local surfer, suffered deep bite wounds to his arm and foot, but police said he was able to swim to shore to raise the alarm.
A large chunk was bitten out of his surfboard, which was also snapped in half.
Paramedics treated him at the beach and, due to the isolation of the area, drove him to a nearby bowling club where he was transferred to the Westpac Life Saver Rescue helicopter and flown to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.
Mr Rowland appeared to be in high spirits when he arrived, laughing with the medical crew, and gave the thumbs up as he was wheeled into the building on a stretcher.Â
Officers from Manning-Great Lakes Local Area Command are working with officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries to determine the species of shark responsible for the incident.
Surf Life Saving NSW said all beaches in the Booti Booti and Pacific Palms area had been closed for at least 24 hours.
"As a result of this morning's incident Seven Mile Beach, Elizabeth, Boomerang, and Blueys Beach have all been closed," the organisation said in a statement.
"Warnings signs have been erected by National Parks and Wildlife personnel and Lifeguards while the public are strongly urged to avoid swimming in the area today.
"A decision on when to reopen the beaches will be made in consultation with stakeholders including Mid Coast Council, Police, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the Department of Primary Industries tomorrow."