Surfer fighting for life after SA shark attack

A surfer who had his leg bitten off by a shark on South Australia's west coast remains in a critical condition at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Chris Blowes, 26, was surfing 350 metres offshore near Right Point at Fishery Bay in the Port Lincoln National Park when a 'monster' great white shark attacked him while a dozen surfers were in the water on Saturday morning.

He was taken to the Port Lincoln Hopspital with serious leg injuries before the MedSTAR helicopter transferred him to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

An ambulance spokesperson said he needed to be resuscitated.

His family released a statement today thanking the 'inspirational mates who rescued him and got him to safety' and the medics who treated Mr Blowes at the scene.

"On behalf of the family of Christopher Blowes we would like to thank everyone for all the support and well wishes we have received at this very traumatic time, we are very grateful," the statement said.

"Currently our sole focus is on our unified, unconditional support and belief towards Christopher's big fight he has ahead, and we ask that our privacy in being able to provide that is respected at this time.

"From the bottom of our hearts we wish to thank his inspirational mates who rescued him and got him to safety and all of the wonderful medical professionals both her in Adelaide and in Pt Lincoln who have attended to Christopher."

A shocked onlooker described seeing the six-metre great white swim off with a leg still attached to the surfboard's leg rope.

"The shark came in and bit his leg off and the guys helped him in and carried him up the cliff," the unnamed onlooker told The Advertiser newspaper.

"I was just watching the shark go out to the ocean with his board still attached. Obviously the shark still had his leg and he was still swimming around with it."

The onlooker said he was about 50 metres away and could see the shark's massive pectoral fin.

"It was definitely a great white," he said.

He called the ambulance while other surfers brought the injured man to shore and carried him up a cliff to another man's car.

It is understood they drove along the 40km stretch of road to Port Lincoln with the unconscious surfer where an ambulance met them.

He was airlifted to Royal Adelaide Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition, a hospital spokesman told AAP.

Fishery Bay is popular with fishermen, families and surfers.

Jake Heron was attacked by a great white while surfing at the bay on Father's Day 2005, in front of his two young children.

He survived with serious arm and leg wounds after punching the shark that chomped his surfboard in two.

Police were working with Fisheries officials, the local council and Surf Life Saving SA on Saturday to post signs on the beach warning others of the shark attack.

Wildcatch Fisheries SA chairman Jonas Walford says the number of shark sightings in the area has risen recently, and the sharks were aggressive.

Morning news break – April 26