Australian beaches closed after boy injured in suspected shark attack

SYDNEY, Apr 30 (dpa): A number of beaches on Western Australia's North West Cape were temporarily closed after an 11-year-old snorkeller was injured in a suspected shark attack, local media reported.

"DPIRD (Fisheries) advise that beaches have been closed between Pilgramunna and Bloodwood Creek in the Cape Range National Park near Exmouth due to a shark incident," Surf Life Saving WA said on Saturday.

The DPIRD received a report of a snorkeller injured in a suspected shark attack in waters off the Kurrajong Campground in the Cape Range National Park at about 3 pm (0700 GMT) on Saturday.

Around that time, Surf Life Saving WA reported that a shark was sighted in the area just one metre offshore.

Local news outlet Perth Now reported that the snorkeller is a 11-year-old boy. According to the outlet the extent of his injuries is unknown but they are not believed to be life threatening. He was transported to a Perth hospital, some 1,300 kilometres south, via the Royal Flying Doctor Service on Saturday night.

Just last week, 23-year-old pro surfer Max Marsden was bitten on the arm by a 1.5-metre shark near Geraldton, some 800 kilometres south of Exmouth, managing to escape after repeatedly punching it. - dpa