Three popular beaches on the Far North Coast of New South Wales have been ordered closed following a frightening shark encounter that saw a surfer knocked from their board. The incident occurred at Flat Rock in East Ballina, approximately thirty minutes south of the iconic Byron Bay, on Thursday morning.
Surfer Escapes Unharmed After Close Call
According to Surf Life Saving NSW, the surfer involved in the encounter was reportedly knocked off their board by the shark. Authorities believe the individual managed to return to shore safely and did not sustain any injuries from the incident.
NSW Police confirmed that no injuries were reported and that no police action was required following the event. However, as a precautionary measure, Flat Rock, Sharpes, and Lennox Head beaches will remain closed for the remainder of the day to ensure public safety.
Recent Tragic Shark Attack Remembered
This latest shark encounter comes in the wake of a tragic incident that claimed the life of a young boy earlier in the month. Twelve-year-old Nico Antic died from injuries sustained in a bull shark attack at Vaucluse on January 18th.
His parents, Lorena and Juan, announced his passing on Saturday, nearly a week after the attack. They remembered their son as "a happy, friendly, and sporty young boy with the most kind and generous spirit."
Community Mourns Young Victim
Nico's school, Rose Bay Secondary College, organised a community paddle-out at North Bondi on Sunday morning to honour his memory. The school released a statement describing Nico as "a happy, vibrant and social young person — widely known and deeply loved by a large network of friends."
The statement continued, "He brought warmth, energy and kindness to those around him and will be remembered for the joy he shared so freely." The school also highlighted his athletic achievements, noting he held the school's 12 years 800m athletics record.
His rugby club mates remembered him as someone who would "run through a wall for his team." Nico's death marked the first fatal shark attack inside Sydney Harbour in more than six decades.
Series of Recent Shark Encounters
Nico was one of four people attacked by sharks off NSW beaches within a span of just two days. The series of incidents began when an 11-year-old boy narrowly escaped injury after a shark took a large chunk out of his surfboard at Dee Why Point on Monday morning.
Later that same day, 27-year-old surfer Andre de Ruyter was dragged underwater during a shark attack at Manly Beach just after 6pm. He was pulled unconscious from the water by fellow surfers and rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital in critical condition.
Less than twenty-four hours later, 39-year-old surfer Paul Zvirzdinas was reportedly bitten by what witnesses described as an "animal" while in the water at Point Plomer Beach, south of Crescent Head, on Tuesday. He managed to drive himself to Kempsey District Hospital and has since been discharged.
Enhanced Safety Measures Implemented
In response to this spate of incidents, the NSW government has allocated an additional $4.2 million to beach safety programs. This funding will support enhanced shark tagging and monitoring initiatives, along with the installation of listening stations in Sydney Harbour.
Drone patrols will be extended to operate seven days a week through to the end of the April school holidays. This expanded surveillance will cover thirty additional beaches across Sydney and along the NSW coastline, providing increased protection for beachgoers during the busy summer period.
