Australia shark attack sees ex-pat Briton killed at Byron Bay

Former IT worker Paul Wilcox, a 50-year-old Briton, has been killed in a shark attack off a beach in Byron Bay.

17:35 09 September 2014

A 50-year-old man who was on a holiday with his wife at Australia’s Byron Bay has died following a shark attack.

Police confirmed that he sustained severe injuries on his right leg and that his wife was watching from the shore when the incident took place. The man, originally from Warwickshire, was pronounced dead on the scene.

Beaches on the most easterly point on the Australian mainland have been closed for 24 hours following the tragic incident and people are being warned to stay out of the water.

In a statement, New South Wales police said: "At 10:45 police and paramedics were called to Main Beach after reports of a shark attack.”

"He was seen floating in shallow water, close to the shore line, and dragged onto the beach. An ambulance was called and he was pronounced dead a short time later.”

Newcastle man Mark Hickey said he tried to help the victim. "I saw what looked like seaweed but it was blood in the water," he said. "I didn't know it was a person but when I realised, I ran out and waded to the bank and grabbed him and did CPR but it was too late."

Due to the high number of bait fish in the area, Byron Bay is a hot spot for shark activity.