A MAN in his 20s has been airlifted to hospital after being attacked by a shark in waters off a popular tourist island.
The victim was found suffering from abdominal injuries and deep lacerations to his leg.
GettyA man in his 20s was airlifted to hospital after being mauled by a shark[/caption]
GettyMoreton Island is famous for the Tangalooma Wrecks[/caption]
Emergency services rushed to the scene near Moreton Island, Queensland, Australia, just after 3pm on Saturday.
The man was treated at the scene before being flown to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a stable condition, a Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) spokeswoman said.
Authorities have yet to confirm what species of shark was involved in Saturday’s attack.
Moreton Island, a popular tourist hotspot north of Brisbane, is known for its pristine beaches and the Tangalooma Wrecks – a collection of scuttled ships that have become a famous diving and snorkeling site.
The attack marks the fourth shark incident in Queensland this year.
It comes just weeks after 17-year-old Charlize Zmuda was fatally mauled by a shark at Woorim Beach, Bribie Island.
The teenager suffered horrific upper-body injuries and died at the scene despite efforts to save her.
The high school senior had been at the beach in Bribie Island with friends at the time of the attack earlier this month.
Hundreds of mourners later gathered to honour the young surf lifesaver.
Holding a single candle, her dad Steve stood surrounded by family, friends, and well-wishers at Woorim Beach.
Mourning the loss of his daughter, the grieving dad urged the community not to fear the beach she loved.
“When I got the tragic news yesterday, I was extremely gutted,” Mr Zmuda said.
“But something that my wife and I want to say is we don’t want people to stop coming to the beach and enjoying our beach.
“It’s a big part of our lives, we’ve got our family here, our community, and we love everybody here.”
Charlize was well known in the Bribie Island community.
A surf lifesaver since the age of eight, she was co-captain of the Bribie Island Surf Life Saving Club and had recently competed with the IRB team at the Lifesaving World Championships.
“Charlize was a member of our club since she was eight years old,” her father said.
“She was a dedicated lifesaver who wanted only the best for our club and for all of our community.”
Her mum, Renee Zmuda, described Charlize as a free spirit who “touched the lives of everyone she met.”
“She loved the beach and it truly was her happiest place on earth,” the family’s statement read.
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