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Man in serious condition after shark attack near Western Australia
Authorities said the surfer was in serious but stable condition as crews closed the beach, removed a damaged board and investigated the shark species.
On Monday, Mel Ismail, a Geraldton father, was seriously injured in a shark attack while surfing alone at Glenfield Beach. He remains in serious but stable condition at Geraldton Health Campus.
Another surfer rescued Ismail from the water, while teenagers on the beach applied a makeshift tourniquet. Authorities noted no shark activity had been reported to city officials in the 30 days prior to Monday's incident.
Geraldton Health Campus spokesperson Mary Pinder confirmed Ismail is receiving specialist care in the hospital's new intensive care unit. Fisheries officers are testing the damaged surfboard to identify the shark species involved.
Ismail's family expressed gratitude for the "support and kindness" shown by the Geraldton community and the medical team. They requested privacy while focusing on supporting one another during his recovery.
There have been two fatal shark attacks in Western Australia since May. Opposition fisheries spokesperson Kirrilee Warr urged a review of mitigation efforts, while Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis defended the state's strategies as comprehensive.