A shark has attacked teenager Kirra-belle OIsen while she was surfing Avoca beach. Pictures that were received from her Facebook account show bites to her foot and a deep wound to her calf.
Police were told that a 1-metre shark bit on her left ankle at 6:30am Friday morning while surfing Avoca.
“So this morning I was surfing and I got my first wave and as I got back on my board a shark came up and bit my foot 3 times and tried to pull me under,” she posted on her Instagram account.
“I just thought it was someone grabbing my foot trying to scare me but it wasn’t. I paddled in screaming cause I didn’t know what to do.”
The 13-year-old surfer from Copacabana reportedly made her way back to shore and was treated by people on the shore before being taken to Gosford Hospital.
Gosford Council has since closed Avoca and North Avoca beaches.
A Surf Life Saving NSW spokesperson has confirmed the Westpac Life Saver Helicopter had been called in to look for the shark.
The type of species of shark is yet to be determined.