Police search for missing person after shark attack at Port Beach, North Fremantle

Police are searching for a person believed to be missing in the water after a shark attack at Port Beach on Saturday morning.

The shark attack happened near Leighton and Port beaches.

Police are searching for a person believed to be missing in the water after a shark attack, sparking frantic scenes and causing the closure of multiple beaches.

The ABC reports authorities believe a man was attacked by a great white shark and a tiger shark while he was swimming next to a dinghy.

West Australian lifesavers closed all since closed all beaches in the area, including Port, Leighton and Cottesloe beaches, near Fremantle, after the shark alarm was triggered at 10am on Saturday.

A swimmer is believed to have been attacked by a shark at Port Beach in North Fremantle. Credit: 9News

WA Police acting inspector Emma Barnes has praised witnesses for alerting beachgoers of the attack, however she did not confirm the condition of the victim.

“We’re coordinating a marine search in conjunction with Fisheries for a report of a male adult attacked by a shark,” she said.

“The actions of the witnesses were heroic and very brave … for getting everyone else in the water out of the water and notifying everyone of what was happening.”

‘We saw a massive shark’

A witness who was at the beach said he saw a “vrey big” shark shortly after the alarm was raised.

“We scurried out onto the rocks as soon as we got out to get a look from a high vantage point and as soon as we did we saw a massive shark out in the water,” Kaiden Boult said to The West Australian.

“It was very big.

While the species of the shark has yet to be confirmed, great whites can grow to be over 6m. Picture: A great white shark. Picture: Supplied.

The attack prompted a huge emergency response with police and paramedics flooding the normally idyllic locations.

At least three St John’s Ambulance crews were at the beach while police helicopters hovered overhead the shoreline.

Police rescue boats hit the water while officers on foot patrolled the closed beaches.

Official #SharkReport: WA - PORT BEACH. 10:14, 06 Nov 21, Public → https://t.co/creXtmL1KYpic.twitter.com/4qYW6cDBDl

— Dorsal Shark Reports (@DorsalAus) November 6, 2021

Shark activity was reported near the beaches at 10.14am by Dorsal Shark Reports.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development confirmed they were investigating the attack.

“DPIRD received reports of a serious shark bite incident at approximately 10:06am on the 6 November 2021,” it said in a statement.

“DPIRD is working with local authorities and further information will be provided as it becomes available.”

Sharks are common at beaches along WA’s coastline. Picture: Ross Swanborough.

This attack comes just months after a man was bitten in waters off the state’s north.

The Perth man, aged in his 30s, was attacked near Varanus Island, off the coast of Onslow in Western Australia’s north in July.

A St John Ambulance spokeswoman said at the time, the man was attacked in the evening and he suffered significant but not life-threatening injuries.

She said he had “a few bites” to his body and first aid was provided on-board the vessel.

That included providing pain relief, as well as cleaning and bandaging his wounds.

“I think they did a pretty good job — they controlled the bleeding,” she said.

More to come

Originally published as Police search for missing person after shark attack at Port Beach, North Fremantle