Ballina and Lennox Head shark attacks: Skullcandy Oz Grom Open proceeds despite shark threat
A SHARK has been spotted heading straight for oblivious swimmers off the NSW coast today, sparking fears of a third attack in as many days. Matthew Lee was mauled in Ballina on Thursday, while Mick Hoile was attacked at nearby Lennox Head yesterday.
NSW
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Oz Grom junior surf comp at Lennox Head started today
The surf competition began despite shark attacks in the area
Ballina victim Matthew Lee remains in a critical condition
Mick Hoile was knocked from his board by a great white at Lennox Head
A 4m shark was spotted today at Wategos Beach at Byron Bay
A FOUR-METRE shark has been spotted lurking near swimmers off the state’s coast, sparking fears of a third attack in as many days.
NSW police rushed to Wategos Beach at Byron Bay this afternoon after media helicopters located what appeared to be a large great white shark swimming close to shore at 1.30pm.
A police spokeswoman said surf lifesavers on a jetski tracked the shark south beyond the lighthouse at Cape Byron.
This comes as a junior surfing contest has gone ahead on the NSW north coast despite two shark attacks in two days on Thursday and Friday.
4-metre shark has been spotted off the coast of Wategos Beach, Byron Bay within metres of surfers. #9News https://t.co/AvDzpMZYYr
— Nine News Brisbane (@9NewsBrisbane) July 4, 2015BREAKING: @7NewsBrisbane Helicopter has alerted a group of young surfers to a 4m shark at Wategos Beach, Byron Bay pic.twitter.com/SUONkHuq9E
— 7 News Brisbane (@7NewsBrisbane) July 4, 2015Organisers of the Skullcandy Oz Grom Open made the call for the Lennox Head contest to start on Saturday morning after a helicopter patrolling the beaches gave the all clear.
Bodyboarder Matthew Lee was bitten by a shark at Ballina on Thursday and left with critical leg injuries.
He underwent lifesaving surgery at the Gold Coast University Hospital and remains in intensive care.
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Surfer Mick Hoile, 51, was knocked from his board on Friday at Lennox Head where the surf contest is being held today.
Mr Hoile’s board was damaged by the shark’s teeth.
Also yesterday, a large sperm whale washed up on the beach near Coffs Harbour after being killed and partially eaten by sharks.
Beaches in the Ballina shire were closed after both attacks.
But Ballina Shire mayor David Wright said a helicopter had not spotted any sharks during a patrol on Saturday morning.
“There are already a dozen surfers in the water and the waves are fantastic,” he said.
“There is a big crowd here.”
The GromFest event, which attracts 300 young competitors from across the country, will kick off at 9am.
Aerial patrols will circle the beaches for the next three days and watercraft will also be used to keep an eye out for sharks.
Skullcandy Oz Grom Open event director Cameron Lindsay said the council, police, organisers and Surf Life Saving all deemed the event safe to recommence.
“We will continue to patrol the area, both from the air and the water, over the course of the day, ensuring the competitors’ safety,” he said.
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