Fatal Shark Attack at Dee Why: Man Killed on Sydney’s Northern Beaches

Long Reef and Dee Why beaches closed after a deadly shark attack

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A man has died after being attacked by a shark near Dee Why on Sydney’s northern beaches, prompting the closure of several popular swimming and surfing spots on Saturday.

Emergency services were called to Long Reef Beach shortly after 10am following reports that a man had suffered severe injuries in the water. Police said the victim, who has not yet been formally identified, was brought to shore but died at the scene despite the efforts of bystanders and paramedics.

According to NSW Police, the man was bitten by “what is believed to have been a large shark”. Two broken sections of a surfboard were recovered and will be examined by experts from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to help determine the species involved.

The attack triggered an immediate emergency response. Witnesses reported police and ambulance vehicles arriving at the beach carpark while the Westpac rescue helicopter circled overhead. Surf lifesavers raised the shark alarm and sounded a siren to clear swimmers from the water, while officers ran along the shoreline warning people to get out. A red flag was also raised to indicate the beach was closed.

A tent was erected on the sand as paramedics and police worked at the scene. Surf lifesaving vessels patrolled offshore, scanning the area where dozens of surfers had been moments earlier.

One nearby resident told local media she saw “at least four helicopters flying overhead in just 10 minutes”. Another witness, a surfer, said a group of board riders helped pull the injured man from the water. “Four or five surfers pulled him out of the water and it looked like a significant part of his lower half had been attacked,” he said. “They didn’t work on him when they got to the beach.”

The incident occurred as Long Reef hosted the Wicks Northern Beaches Junior Teams Challenge surf competition. Organisers suspended the event as beaches across the region were closed as a precaution, stretching from Manly to Narrabeen. Surf Life Saving NSW confirmed Dee Why Beach would remain closed until further notice.

Marine rescue vessels and DPI officers will continue to monitor the waters throughout the day. Police have urged beachgoers to follow instructions from authorities and stay away from the closed beaches until they are declared safe.

First fatal shark attack in Sydney in years

The man’s death is the first fatal shark attack in Sydney in more than three years. In February 2022, a swimmer was killed by a great white shark at Little Bay in the city’s east, an incident that shocked the community and prompted a review of safety measures.

Shark attacks remain rare but often spark heightened concern during peak beachgoing seasons. Experts say warmer waters and an abundance of fish can bring sharks closer to shore.

The identity of the man killed at Dee Why is yet to be confirmed, and police said a report will be prepared for the coroner.