Shark attacks surfer in Australia, third victim in a month

SYDNEY, Australia – A witness says a surfer has sustained injuries in the third shark attack off New South Wales state north of Sydney in a month.

Former state lawmaker Ian Cohen told Australian Broadcasting Corp. on Monday that the surfer’s injuries were “not that serious.”

READ MORE: 2 men seriously injured in separate Hawaii shark attacks

The attack occurred at Byron Bay, 36 kilometres north of Ballina, where a 25-year-old man sustained minor leg injuries while surfing with friends on Oct. 12. The latest victim was taken to Byron Bay hospital for treatment.

On Sept. 26, a 17-year-old surfer required stiches to close a leg wound after he was bitten by a shark off Ballina, 350 miles (600 kilometres) north of Sydney.

A 41-year-old Japanese surfer was killed by a shark off Ballina last year.