Miracle escape for bodyboarder, 12, bitten by a shark at Cape Burney Beach, WA
A young boy who was bitten by a shark while learning to surf is now recovering at home from the terrifying ordeal.
James Sweetman, 12, was with a friend at a surfing academy at Cape Burney Beach, south of Geraldton, in Western Australia’s mid-west, on Sunday morning.
He was wading through the water when he stepped on the three-foot shark lurking beneath.
He felt it spin before the unknown species of shark landed on the back of his thigh.
The shark initially refused to let go as a terrified James tried to swim back to shore.
Beachgoers came to the boy’s aid before he was rushed to the Geraldton Health Campus.
Miraculously, James did not need stitches and was released from the hospital hours later.
James Sweetman (pictured) narrowly escaped injury after being bitten by a three-foot shark on Cape Burney Beach on Sunday
Papa Ray said James handled the situation “like an absolute trooper” and left the hospital smiling.
“I don’t think he panicked too much, he handled it very well on the beach,” Mr Sweetman said. PerthNow.
While James remained calm during the attack, Mr Sweetman said his son was still in shock when they reached hospital.
“The emergency was great, the ladies at the hospital dressed him really well,” he said.
City of Greater Geraldton rangers closed Cape Burney Beach to the public for the remainder of the day on Sunday.
Miraculously, James did not need stitches for the bite wound
The beach reopened on Monday, but swimmers were reminded to use caution.
A spokesperson for the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said it was trying to identify the shark species.
The incident was one of two shark sightings recorded in Geraldton this weekend, according to WA Government’s SharkSmart app.
The other was a three-meter long hammerhead shark.