North Avoca: Teenage surfer bitten on hand by shark

A teenager managed to get himself home before calling an ambulance after being bitten by a shark at North Avoca.

A Teen surfer has been bitten by a shark on the Central Coast — sparking the closure of Avoca and North Avoca beaches.

The two Central Coast beaches remained closed on Wednesday afternoon, as Central Coast Council deployed a drone operator to search for a shark which reportedly bit a surfer early on August 31.

A NSW Ambulance spokesman said paramedics were called at 7.10am on Wednesday, following reports of a shark attack.

The spokesman said a teenage surfer suffered puncture wounds to his hand, but was able to return home before calling for assistance.

Promising surfer Kirra-Belle Olsson was bitten on the foot by a wobbegong shark at Avoca in 2014. Photo supplied

The spokesman said paramedics attended an address at Tramway Rd before taking the teenager to Gosford Hospital.

In a statement council said staff were responding to the shark bite incident.

“Our thoughts are with the young surfer who sustained a wound to his right lower forearm, near his hand,” the statement said.

“We ask that all community members avoid Avoca and North Avoca beaches at this time until the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and council can investigate this incident further. A UAV operator has been deployed to North Avoca beach for further search.”

Avoca Beach shark attack. No swimming signs erected by lifeguards on Avoca Beach.

The attack comes just a day before the DPI was due to install shark nets on several Central Coast beaches from tomorrow as part of its annual meshing program.

Council said the DPI had confirmed the installation of the shark nets would proceed as planned.

The type of shark involved in this morning’s incident remains unknown.