Man attacked by shark at Kangaroo Island tourist spot

A surfer has been attacked by a shark at a popular tourist destination in South Australia.

The man, aged in his 50s, was bitten twice on the leg at D’Estrees Bay in an area known as The Sewer at Kangaroo Island.

He managed to drive himself to the hospital and will undergo emergency surgery.

Shark Watch South Australia said the incident happened about 1:37 pm on Tuesday.

It is believed to have been a bronze whaler that bit the surfer.

A member of the public reported seeing a large shark chase seals around the bay when it bit the man.

Bronze whalers are commonly found in coastal areas and offshore in South Australia.

They can grow to 3.3m in length and weigh up to 300kg.

In 2020, 29-year-old surfer Dion Lynch survived a shark attack a D’Estrees Bay, suffering injuries to his back and thighs.

Lynch said in a statement after the attack, he was sitting on his board when he felt a hit on his left side.

“It was like being hit by a truck,” he said.

“It bit me around my back, buttocks, and elbow and took a chunk out of my board.

“I got a glimpse of the shark as it let go and disappeared.”