Teenage Surfer Bitten by Great White at Lighthouse Beach

On the morning of September 26, 2016, a 17-year-old male surfer paddled out at Lighthouse Beach in Ballina, New South Wales, accompanied by two friends. At approximately 9:00 AM, shortly after entering the water, the surfer was knocked from his board by a great white shark estimated at 3.5 meters in length. The surfer recalled the moment of impact, describing the force of the encounter that sent him into the water. He initially attempted to process the situation, uncertain of the severity of his injuries until he observed the damage to his leg. Four deep, widely spaced lacerations were inflicted to his upper thigh. His companions responded immediately to assist. One friend helped tow the injured surfer back to shore while the other remained vigilant, observing that the shark followed them toward the beach. Their swift action was critical in ensuring rapid evacuation from the water. Upon reaching shore, a nurse and lifesavers provided emergency first aid, including the application of a tourniquet fashioned from a surfboard leg rope. NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the surfer at the scene before transporting him to Lismore Base Hospital, where the lacerations were surgically closed. The incident was classified as unprovoked. A 3.5-meter white shark was sighted off the beach shortly after the attack. Environmental conditions at the time included clear visibility, moderate sea level pressure, and light winds from the south-southwest.