Shark pulls 10-year-old boy from boat in Stanley, in North-West Tasmania

UPDATE: The boy who was the victim of a “freak” shark attack near Stanley on Friday has been transported from the North West Regional Hospital to the Launceston General Hospital for further treatment. DETAILS HERE.

• Shark attack deaths in Australia at 10-year high, with more predicted
• ‘I still love sharks,’ says woman attacked off Far North Queensland

UPDATE: THE 10-year-old Tasmanian boy ripped from a boat by a shark on Friday is in a stable condition at Launceston General Hospital.

The boy, who was fishing near Stanley, in the state’s North-West, with his father, suffered wounds to his head, chest and arm when the attack happened on Friday afternoon.

After receiving treatment at North West Regional Hospital in Burnie, he was transferred to Launceston hospital late on Friday for treatment on his cuts.

A Tasmanian Health department spokesman said the boy’s condition today was stable.

Ambulance Tasmania on Friday said the boy, his father and two others, were fishing 5km from shore when the shark appeared. Reports were the shark leapt out of the water and pulled the boy from a 6m boat.

The shark swam away when the boy’s father jumped in the water to save his son.

The family has been approached for comment.

EARLIER: A WOMAN who rushed to the aid of a bleeding child who was ripped from a boat by a shark has described the panic that unfolded in the moments after the “freak” event.

A 10-year-old boy was rushed to hospital with head, chest and arm wounds on Friday afternoon when a shark leapt out of deep sea waters off Stanley and pulled him from a six-metre fishing vessel.

Ambulance Tasmania said the boy, his father and two others were fishing 5km from shore when the shark appeared.

The shark swam away when the boy’s father jumped in the water to save his son.

The 10-year-old is in a stable condition at the North West Regional Hospital, Ambulance Tasmania said.

A North-West Coast woman, who aided the boy when he arrived at shore, said she was amazed by the child’s bravery.

“My mother and I were walking along the beach and noticed a father carrying his son up the boat ramp looking very wet and I thought ‘this doesn’t look good’,” the woman who wished to remain anonymous said.

“We raced into a nearby store where we found a first aid kit and addressed his injuries while the father spoke on the phone to paramedics as we waited for them to arrive.

“The father was clearly shaken and the little boy was in shock but was in incredibly good shape. He was able to talk to us and answer questions, which was remarkable.

“Speaking with the other two people on board I was told the shark was very big and it caused significant damage to the boat after it hit it hard and grabbed the child.”

The picturesque town of Stanley at the base of The Nut in the state’s North-West. Photo: FILE

Police earlier on Friday warned of a large shark off the coast near Stanley.

Stanley fisherman Steve Hursey described the shark attack as a “freak accident”.

“It’s just unheard of,” he said.

“I’m 28 years old and have been fishing all my life and never have I even seen a shark here, let alone a shark attack. We don’t normally get them up here.

“I have heard of shark attacks occurring before but have never heard of anyone being pulled out of a boat.”

Mr Hursey said he was told the shark caused damage to the boat, which led him to believe the shark must have been more than 3m in size.

Circular Head mayor Daryl Quilliam said the child’s shark attack had been the “talk of the town” on Friday afternoon.

“It’s such a rare event. I’m not aware of any other shark attacks that have ever occurred in our district,” he said.

“Thankfully the father jumped in to save his child, and the boy is now in a stable condition.”

Mr Quillam said he expected the Stanley community to rally behind the boy and his family.

“Circular Head residents are good at looking after each other. We had a road tragedy here last weekend, and someone told me they were amazed at how much support was shown to the family after that incident,” he said.

“This shark attack will be no different. It will be a traumatic time for the boy and his family so we will help them out. We’ll do whatever we can.”

.@TasmaniaPolice has received a report of a shark 10 km off the coast of Stanley. pic.twitter.com/aOQachbQiD

— TasALERT (@tasalert) July 17, 2020

EARLIER:

TASMANIA Police have warned of a large shark off the coast near Stanley.

Police issued the alert shortly after 1pm today.

“Please be advised there has been a large shark sighted in the Stanley area. If swimming or undertaking fishing and other marine activities please take necessary precautions,” it read.