Harrowing scenes as desperate search continues for missing surfer attacked by a shark in front of his partner at Wharton Beach
Witnesses have recalled hearing screams when a surfer was attacked by a shark at a remote Western Australian beach, as the search for the man continues.
Emergency services rushed to Wharton Beach at Cape Le Grand, about 70km east of Esperance, at 12.10pm (3.10pm AEDT) on Monday.
Beachgoers told police a ‘massive shark launched’ itself at a man, aged in his 30s, in chest-deep water just 50m from the shore.
Joscelin Boissieux said the man’s partner, who was sitting on the beach at the time of the attack, watched on in horror.
Mr Boissieux explained dozens of beachgoers rushed out of the water after hearing the man’s scream.
‘There were screams. There were people saying like “get out”, everything – it was a very panicked moment,’ Mr Boissieux told 9News.
‘There was only a surfboard left floating around about 30 metres from the shore.
‘The water next to it was dark, with a shark’s fin circling around.’
The search for a surfer who went missing after a shark attack at Wharton Beach in Cape Le Grand, Condingup, Western Australia, resumed on Tuesday
Authorities closed the beach following the shark attack
A public shark sighting was made at the beach about five minutes after the attack, according to monitoring website SharkSmart.
The man’s surfboard was found a short time later in the water with evidence of bite marks, however there have been no signs of the surfer.
Wharton Beach remains closed, as a sign warns beachgoers not to swim in the water.
A large-scale search, including police, Marine Rescue WA and SES resumed on Tuesday after authorities were unable to locate the man.
Surf Life Saving WA urged beachgoers to take additional caution in the area.
‘DPIRD (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development) is working with local authorities and further information will be provided as it becomes available,’ Surf Life Saving WA said.
A popular spot for surfers, swimmers and snorkellers, Wharton Beach and neighbouring Duke of Orleans Bay is an area known for its picturesque coastline.
Three fatal shark attacks have been recorded along that stretch of WA’s Esperance coast in the past eight years.
Laeticia Brouwer, 17, died after being bitten by a white shark while surfing at Kelp Beds in 2017.
Diver Gary Johnson and surfer Andrew Sharpe died in separate incidents in 2020.
