Teen fighting for his life after being mauled by shark at fishing hotspot

A teenage boy has been left fighting for his life after he was bitten on the stomach by a shark while swimming in the sea.

Queensland Ambulance Service said emergency services rushed to the scene of a suspected shark attack in the waters off Cook Esplanade in North Queensland, Australia on Saturday evening. They found a 14-year-old boy who had suffered significant abdominal injuries, and he was rushed to hospital. He has since been airlifted to Townsville University Hospital, where he remains in critical condition today.

According to local outlet the Cairns Post, the boy entered the water while fishing with his friends, who helped him onto shore following the attack. Elsie Seriat OAM, the Mayor of Torres Shire Council said the local council was "deeply concerned" about the attack, and praised the teen's friends for their "incredible bravery and quick thinking to help him back to safety".

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She said: "This incident is very unfortunate, and our hopes and prayers go out to the boy and his family at this difficult time. Our small community feels this deeply.

"We know many people are thinking of the young boy, his friends, and their families. Please continue to keep them in your hearts and prayers." Ms Seriat went on to issue a public warning, telling locals to stay “mindful and aware of the dangers in our surrounding waters and to always use good Judgement.”

She said the council would continue to work closely with Queensland Health, the Queensland Police Service, and the families involved.

David Crisafulli, the premier of Queensland, said he had been briefed on the incident and also wished the boy a full recovery. He said: "It's obviously very traumatic for the individual, for the family, for the first responders, for those in the Townsville hospital who are administering treatment."

He added: "I hope everything is OK." Attacks on Queensland's ecologically rich Torres Strait are uncommon, with the last nearly a decade ago back in 2017.

The previous attack saw a suspected bull shark ambush 55-year-old Craig de Wit as he snorkelled around the nearby Boot Reef. The Torres Strait is not covered by Queensland's Government Shark Control Program, an initiative set up to reduce the risk of shark attacks in the territory's coastal waters.

According to the state's Department of Primary Industries (DPI), there are 100 species of shark resident in local waters, seven of which are more likely to present a risk to humans.