Overview

• Police said the experienced surfer was taken by a large shark while surfing near Long Reef/Dee Why around 9:30 a.m., about 100 meters from shore.
• Fellow surfers retrieved him and emergency crews responded, but he died at the scene from catastrophic injuries; police said he leaves a wife and young daughter.
• Two sections of his surfboard were recovered for forensic examination as DPIRD biologists assess images to identify the shark species.
• Drones, helicopters and lifeguard patrols are searching for further activity, and SMART drumlines have been deployed off Dee Why.
• Dee Why is closed for 48–72 hours and other beaches between Manly and Narrabeen are shut for at least 24 hours, in what officials note is Sydney’s first fatal shark attack since 2022.