Man dies after suspected shark attack on Sydney's Northern Beaches

A man has died after a suspected shark attack on Sydney's Northern Beaches on Saturday morning, authorities said, prompting the closure of multiple beaches and a major marine search. Witnesses said the attack occurred just after 9 a.m. between Dee Why and Long Reef, while New South Wales police said emergency services were called shortly after 10 a.m. The victim, pulled from the surf by other surfers, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Surfers and onlookers helped recover the man from the water, several witnesses said. "Four or five surfers pulled him out of the water and it looked like a significant part of his lower half had been attacked," a surfer who was at the beach said. A local resident described hearing the shark alarm and seeing multiple ambulances arrive within minutes. Police said parts of a surfboard were recovered and taken for expert examination, and officers recovered the man's body from the sand.

Police said officers attached to the Northern Beaches command closed the affected beaches and will work with experts from the Department of Primary Industries to determine the species of shark involved. Surf Life Saving authorities advised that beaches between Manly and...