A 35-year-old man has died after being mauled by a suspected large shark in a rare and tragic incident off Sydney’s northern beaches. The fatal attack occurred at Long Reef Beach, a popular surf spot, sparking widespread alarm and prompting authorities to close several beaches in the surrounding area.
The surfer, described as highly experienced, had been riding waves with friends when the attack unfolded just 100 metres from shore. Witnesses reported a sudden commotion in the water before fellow surfers rushed to pull him back onto the sand. Despite their desperate efforts, the injuries were catastrophic. The man had lost both legs, and his surfboard had been torn apart in the attack. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but the surfer was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have yet to confirm the exact species of shark involved. Drones were deployed to survey the waters along Sydney’s northern coastline, with particular attention given to Long Reef and Dee Why beaches. As a precaution, beaches stretching from Manly to Narrabeen were immediately closed for at least 24 hours, and all surf life-saving training and water activities in the area were cancelled.
Local surfers described the attack as sudden and overwhelming, with one witness recalling how “a significant part of his lower half had been attacked.” Many who were present were left shaken by the sheer force and speed of the predator.
Shark attacks in Sydney are extremely rare. This is only the second fatal encounter in the city since 2022, when a diving instructor was killed in a similarly devastating incident. Prior to that, the last recorded death in Sydney waters occurred in 1963.
The tragedy comes amid a troubling rise in shark-related fatalities across Australia in 2025. Earlier this year, a teenage girl was killed while swimming near an eastern island, while surfers in South Australia and Western Australia also lost their lives in separate incidents. At the end of 2024, another man died after being bitten while spearfishing off Queensland.
Historical data shows more than 1,280 recorded shark incidents around Australia since 1791, with over 250 proving fatal. The latest attack has reignited debate over safety measures and the balance between human activity and marine life in Australia’s coastal waters.
