Surfer killed in great white shark attack off NSW coast

A male surfer has died after being attacked by a shark off the coast of the NSW northern rivers region.

The man was surfing at Salt Beach, South Kingscliff when he was bitten by the shark on Sunday shortly after 10am.

Police have been told several board-riders came to his assistance and fought the three-metre great white shark off before the injured man could be helped to shore.

He was rendered first aid for a bite to the back of his thigh but died at the scene

While he is yet to be formally identified, he is believed to be a 60-year-old man from Tugun just over the Queensland border.

Beaches between Kingscliff and Cabarita have been cleared and will remain close for 24 hours.

The NSW Surf Life Saving helicopter was tracking the shark on Sunday morning.

"A shark biologist has assessed photographs and confirmed a white shark was responsible for the fatal attack," the NSW Department of Primary Industries said in a statement.

Kingscliff local Stuart Gonsal told ABC he had just arrived at the beach to surf, when he found out about the incident.

"We came down and we hadn't got in the water and police were immediately hauling people in," Mr Gonsal said.

"It took a while to get all the people out of the water.”

Paramedics were unable to save the man once he was pulled from the ocean.

“When you get a call to attend a shark attack, you never really know the full extent of the damage until you get on scene,” said Inspector Terence Savage from NSW Ambulance.

“This is a dreadful situation for everyone involved. As a paramedic, all we want to do is help people.

“They did everything they could to try and save his life, but despite their best efforts, were unable to do so.”

with AAP

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