A 65-year-old man has been attacked by a shark while surf skiing off the New South Wales coast today.
Emergency services were called to the Blackhead Beach at Hallidays Point, north of Newcastle shortly before midday after receiving reports of a man being bitten by a shark.
ABC News reported that the victim, a local man, suffered leg injuries.
He told police he was knocked off his surf ski by what he believed to be a shark and fell into the water - but was able to get back onto the surf ski after the attack.
He then alerted bystanders when he was closer to shore, and they helped him out of the water.
After being treated by paramedics at the beach the man was airlifted to the John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.
He is understood to need emergency surgery.
A bodyboarder was bitten by a shark two weeks ago at Lighthouse Beach, further north of Blackhead Beach.
The beach has been closed for 24 hours authorities are assessing nearby beaches.