— A 57-year-old experienced surfer was fatally mauled by a suspected large shark while surfing with friends in the Pacific waters off northern Sydney, between Long Reef and Dee Why beaches; bystanders pulled him ashore but resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.
Key Takeaways
- The victim was a 57-year-old male surfer, married with a young daughter.
- The attack occurred on Saturday in the Pacific waters off Long Reef and Dee Why, northern Sydney.
- Witnesses reported seeing a large ocean predator; the man lost multiple limbs and was found floating in the surf.
- Authorities will examine the surfboard and the victim’s remains to identify the shark species.
- Nearby beaches were closed for at least 24 hours; drones and surf lifesavers patrolled the area.
- Fatal shark attacks are rare globally; 2024 recorded seven fatal attacks worldwide per the International Shark Attack File.
- This is Sydney’s first fatal shark attack since 2022 and follows other recent deadly incidents elsewhere in Australia.
Verified Facts
According to New South Wales police, the 57-year-old was surfing with friends in the adjoining Long Reef and Dee Why area when he was attacked. Surfers in the water assisted and brought him to shore, but emergency crews were unable to revive him. Police superintendent John Duncan said the victim “lost a number of limbs” and that the body was located floating in the surf.
Witnesses reported seeing a large ocean predator at the scene. Police have said government experts will examine the damaged surfboard and the victim’s remains to help determine the species involved. Investigators are treating the incident as a fatal shark attack while evidence is collected.
Authorities closed nearby beaches for at least 24 hours after the attack. Patrols used drones and water-skiing surf lifesavers to monitor shark activity and protect swimmers and surfers in the area during the initial response.
SharkSmart, a government-run site, notes Australia has many shark species and that most are not aggressive under most circumstances. The most frequently implicated species in serious bites are great white, bull and tiger sharks, though officials will not confirm species until forensic examination is completed.
Context & Impact
Fatal shark encounters in Australia are uncommon but attract substantial media attention and public concern. The International Shark Attack File recorded seven fatal attacks worldwide in 2024, a drop well below the long-term annual average.
This incident is the first recorded fatal shark attack in Sydney since 2022, when a 35-year-old British diving instructor died off Little Bay. The city had not recorded a fatal attack since 1963 prior to that. Australia saw another fatal attack in March 2025 off Wharton Beach in Western Australia, and a separate presumed fatality was reported in South Australia in January, where a witness recovered a surfboard but no sign of the surfer remained.
- Public safety measures: short-term beach closures, increased aerial and water patrols.
- Tourism and local beach use may be affected while investigations and patrols continue.
“We understand that both him and his board disappeared underwater. The body was later found floating in the surf,”
New South Wales Police Superintendent John Duncan
Unconfirmed
- The specific shark species responsible has not been confirmed pending examination of the surfboard and remains.
- Exact sequence of events leading up to the attack and precise time are still under investigation.
- Any possible environmental factors (water conditions, baitfish presence) that may have contributed remain unverified.
Bottom Line
Authorities are treating the death as a shark attack and are conducting forensic and environmental investigations to identify the species and reconstruct the incident. Short-term beach closures and intensified patrols aim to reduce immediate risk while officials gather evidence and advise the public.