Teen surfer attacked by shark at NSW beach on Christmas Day

A teenage boy was close to losing his leg or worse after he was bitten by a shark while surfing at a NSW beach on Christmas Day.

A 16-year-old boy came close to losing his leg after a shark bit him during a Christmas Day surf.

Julian McLennan was surfing with friends at Old Bar, near Taree on New South Wales’ Mid North Coast about 4.30pm when he felt something “grab” him in the water.

“I look to the right and I see a massive fin coming out of the water and, like, it's the body of a shark,” he told 9News.

“I start paddling in. I have no clue if I have a leg still and I’m just looking at [my friend] Alex, and I’m just freakin out.”

The teenager quickly yelled out to his mate Alex Tobin who leapt into action and retrieved his shirt from the shore to stop the bleeding.

“I just seen a giant splash came out of nowhere,” Alex told the outlet.

“I ran to shore, grabbed my shirt so he can wrap it around his leg to stop the bleeding.”

16-year-old Julian McLennan was surfing at Old Bar on Christmas Day. Picture: 9News

The pair’s other friend, Will Anderson, who was in the car park at the time, quickly rushed Julian to Taree Base Hospital rather than waiting for an ambulance.

“Just thought the ambulance would have taken too long to get out there and, not knowing how bad the bite actually was, I just wanted to be on the safer side and get moving as quick as we could,” he said.

The 16-year-old suffered a series of puncture wounds on his thigh.

According to 9News, the bite was just a few centimetres from Julian’s femoral artery, which could have been the difference between life and death.

Julian said he was thankful for the fin on his surfboard, which was inside the shark’s mouth.

“If I didn’t have the fin on the surfboard, it probably would have taken my leg.”

“I was just hoping it wouldn’t come back after it let go.”

The teenager said the fin on his surfboard may have saved his leg. Picture: 9News

He said he was hoping the shark wouldn’t return after the attack. Picture: 9News

Julian suffered a number of puncture wounds on his thigh. Picture: ABC

The puncture wounds were a few centimetres from Julian’s femoral artery. Picture: 9News

Julian’s mother, Nichole Gore-Lenskyj, said she was “in shock” after learning what had happened.

“It’s not what you want to hear on Christmas Day or any day,” she told the ABC.

However, she praised her son and his friends for their “prompt and efficient” response.

“They did what they needed to do. They didn’t freak out, they helped their mate, that’s what true friends are, very courageous,” she said.

“They helped my boy stay alive, so I’m very, very grateful.”

Julian’s mother said she was grateful her son’s friends helped save his life. Picture: 9News

Julian said he would take a break from the water for a few weeks but would eventually return.

He advised beachgoers to bring a mate to the water next time they head out.

“If I didn’t have anyone with me, I could have been a lot worse,” he told the ABC.

The attack came a day after a 46-year-old man was bitten by a shark while windsurfing at Wedge Island, north or Perth on Christmas Eve.

Troy Brown suffered over 20 puncture wounds on his calf and ankle after ‘falling’ off his board and into the shark’s mouth.

He is currently recovering in Joondalup Hospital.