KEY POINTS:
A bodyboarder rushed into the water to try to save his friend after a shark attack yesterday.
Peter Edmonds, 16, died after being bitten on the leg by a large shark that attacked unseen in murky morning surf darkened by the run-off from streams swollen by rain.
The
pair were bodyboarding at the popular surfing break of North Wall, a breakwater protecting the entrance to the Richmond River at Lighthouse Beach near the New South Wales town of Ballina.
Although no attacks have been reported in the area for years, shark sightings are common and bull sharks - one of the most dangerous species in the world - had been spotted recently.
Bull sharks, great whites and tigers account for more than half of known worldwide shark attacks.
Surf Life Saving NSW spokesman Craig Roberts said shark sightings were not common around Lighthouse Beach at this time of year.
But shortly before 8am, the bodyboarder's friend saw his mate was in trouble.
"As he saw him the water was beginning to turn red," regional lifeguard co-ordinator Stephen Leahy said.
Police said the victim was floating unconscious in the water when his mate reached him.
Lifesavers manning a nearby beach tower raced to help, but the teenager had suffered two large bites in his leg and massive blood loss.
"The boy was dragged up out of the water and on to the sand shortly after emergency services arrived, but there was nothing we could do to save that boy's life," Leahy said.
Police and ambulance crews raced to the scene, but attempts to revive the teenager failed.
The victim's friend was taken to hospital suffering from shock, but was later discharged. Detective Inspector Steve Clark said the friend would be considered for a bravery medal.
"He re-entered the water and started paddling out to his friend.
"It was an extreme act of bravery to re-enter the water and he's still gone in to retrieve his friend, it's exceptional."
Police were preparing a brief for the State Coroner, but there were no details about the possible species of shark involved in the attack, and attempts to find it were thwarted by the weather.
"Unfortunately, while we would like to get out on the water and up in the air looking for sharks, the weather is absolutely abysmal and that prevents that," Leahy told ABC radio.
The teenager's death is the first shark fatality in NSW since 1993.
- ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY AAP
