Horror details emerge after Sydney's first fatal shark attack in 60 years
Sydney’s first fatal shark attack in almost 60 years has left onlookers reeling.
A man was killed at Little Bay Beach in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs after he was attacked on Wednesday afternoon.
In a statement, NSW Police said emergency services were called to the scene after receiving a report of the attack.
The victim has not been formally identified and human remains were found in the water, with NSW Police confirming that DNA from the victim's remains was being used to help identify them.
After witnessing the attack from just metres away, onlookers said the “big shark” came “out of nowhere” and attacked the man.
“Out of nowhere we just heard like ‘Agh’ and something came up and, yeah, it was just a big shark in the air, totally airborne, hit the guy very, very quick,” one witness told 9News.
“Came back down and we realised it was a shark attack on a swimmer. Just ten metres off the rocks. We couldn’t do anything about it.”
Kris Linto, another witness, claimed the shark was about 4.5 metres long.
“(The person) was swimming and a shark came and attacked (them) vertically,” Mr Linto said.
“We heard a yell and turned around, it looked like a car had landed in the water, a big splash then the shark.
“It was really bad.”
The search for the shark which killed a man at a Sydney beach is resuming. Image: 9News
The search for the shark continues, as Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) volunteers assist police and officials from the Department of Primary Industries.
“This is a terrible tragedy, the first fatal shark incident in Sydney for decades. Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends,” SLSNSW President George Shales said.
Steven Pearce, the organisation’s CEO, said the attack’s proximity to the rock shelf made it “particularly horrific” for witnesses.
“We had our Life Savers helicopter on the scene within minutes,” he told Ben Fordham on 2GB.
“When they arrived, there was nothing they could do.”
The Department of Primary Industries has recently tagged several bull sharks near the area of the attack, but Mr Pearce said the species of the shark involved was still unknown.
But, judging by witness reports, he said “it’s a huge shark”.
“When we decide to go into the water, we have to remember it is their domain,” he said.
“(But) what happened yesterday, it makes everyone sick just thinking about it.”
Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker said the incident at a normally “calm”, family-friendly location has left the community in shock.
“The coast is our community’s backyard,” he said.
“Little Bay is normally such a calm, beautiful place enjoyed by families.
“To lose someone to a shark attack like this is chilling. We are all in shock.
“Our entire community’s hearts go out to the family of the victim.”
Image: 9News