The incident occurred at Airlie beach in the Whitsundays region of Queensland.
A British tourist had his foot bitten off by a shark while another man suffered serious injuries to his lower leg after a shark attack in the Whitsundays region of north Queensland.
The two men were airlifted to Mackay Base Hospital, both suffering serious lower leg injuries after being attacked by the shark in Hook Passage, about 30km from the harbour at Airlie Beach.
The helicopter rescue service said that the men were wrestling and thrashing about in the water in Hook Passage when the attack occurred.
Queensland Ambulance have said that the two men are in a “serious condition” following the incident.
#Update2 – Two patients are being transported by helicopter in serious conditions to the Mackay Hospital following a shark bite incident in #AirlieBeach.
— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) October 29, 2019
An English tourist has had his foot bitten off and another has serious lacerations to his lower leg after a shark attack in the Whitsundays today. Both were transported to Mackay Base Hospital by #RACQ #CQRescue in a serious but stable condition.
— RACQ CQ Rescue (@cq_rescue) October 29, 2019
Two British tourists bitten by a shark in the Whitsundays today have told #RACQ #CQRescue crewmen they were wrestling and thrashing about in the water in Hook Passage when the attack occurred.
— RACQ CQ Rescue (@cq_rescue) October 29, 2019
Tourism Whitsundays and Whitsunday Regional Council have released the following statement: “This morning at 10:26am AEST there was an incident involving two people in Hook Passage, we believe this was a shark incident.
“Our first thoughts are with the two people involved in the incident and their welfare as well as the other passengers and crew on the boat. On board the vessel were two passengers who are paramedics and provided immediate first aid.
“Immediate counselling support was arranged for the passengers and crew, their welfare is also our priority. We would also like to commend the lightning response of our first responders and emergency services. Their efforts have ensured the two people have been able to receive expert medical treatment very quickly.
“Queensland Ambulance Service have advised that both people are in a serious but stable condition, with non life-threatening injuries. Our priority and focus now is ensuring the welfare of these two people and until we receive accurate and detailed information regarding the incident, we are unable to make any further comment.”
The attack took place amid a debate about shark control in Queensland.
The two British men sustained their injuries at Hook Passage, about 10km away from where an Australian man was fatally bitten by a shark last November.
The area also saw two other attacks take place in September of last year. Both victims survived, although one – a 12-year-old girl – later had a leg amputated.
In response to those incidents, authorities culled six sharks in the area and installed drum lines – baited hooks which are suspended underwater. The drum lines were later removed due to their impact on the marine life.
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