04/30/2023 Archie Blake 11yr Exmouth Western Australia

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Boy airlifted to Perth after shark attack while snorkelling near Exmouth, WA

An 11-year-old boy has been mauled by a shark while snorkelling near Exmouth on the Western Australian coast.

An 11-year-old boy who was camping near Exmouth, Western Australia has been airlifted to hospital.

The boy was snorkelling in waters near Kurrajong Campground in the Cape Range National Park about 3pm Saturday afternoon when he was attacked by a shark.

Locals provided care and first aid to the boy after he was taken by boat to shore before paramedics arrived, according to 7 News.

He was airlifted to Perth’s Children Hospital, more than 1,300 kilometres away, after first being taken to Exmouth Hospital.

When he arrived at Exmouth Hospital he was admitted with cuts to his leg in a serious but stable condition.

The Royal Flying Doctors Service left Perth at 5pm on Saturday, arriving in Exmouth at 6:30pm.

Beaches between Pilgramunna and Bloodwood Creek along the national park were closed by the Parks and Wildlife Service due to a “shark incident”.

The Western Australian government’s shark warning system issued an alert on Saturday night.

“Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) are currently coordinating responses for a shark incident that occurred in waters off the Kurrajong Campground, Cape Range National Park in the Shire of Exmouth,” SharkSmart said in a statement.

“DPIRD received a report of a possible shark bite incident at approximately 3:00pm on Saturday 29 April 2023.

“A snorkeller received injuries after being bitten by a reported unknown species of shark.”

https://www.skynews.com.au/