1.5m shark attacks superyacht crew member near Airlie Beach

A superyacht crew member was bitten by a 1.5-metre (5-foot) shark near Airlie Beach in Queensland, Australia, yesterday afternoon.

Ryan Bowering, 25, dived from a 42-metre (138-foot) yacht into the water to check the reef conditions were safe for a group of tourists. Just moments after descending, however, a shark approached him and twice attempted to bite him; once on his right buttock and once on his left hip.

Bowering swam back to the superyacht, despite suffering numerous teeth-like wounds to his body.

He was airlifted from near Hardy Reef to Mackay Base Hospital by critical-care paramedics at 1:45pm. He has since undergone surgery and is reported to be in a stable condition.

Bowering explained that the shark had a ‘couple of goes’ at him.

Hardy Reef is a well-liked location within the Great Barrier Reef among tourists, especially divers and snorkellers. Following on from a number of shark attacks in the Whitsundays area in the past six months, campaigners in Queensland are seeking for more shark control equipment to be provided within the region.

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Source: The Courier Mail