Geraldton shark attack rescue prompts scrutiny of local emergency response

A heroic surfer didn’t hesitate plunging into bloody waters off Geraldton to pull a shark attack victim to safety, locals say.

Further details of the rescue effort have emerged following the attack on 56-year-old Mel Ismail on Monday, with people highlighting the heroic work of one surfer and three teenagers who worked to save the father after he suffered a serious bite to his leg.

Ismail had been surfing off Glenfield Beach solo.

It is not known exactly what time the attack occurred, but it is understood Ismail was found when another surfer, believed to be in his 40s, arrived at the beach about 9.50am.

When he came over a dune, he saw a pool of blood about 40 metres out from the shore and Ismail waving for help.

Without hesitation, the surfer paddled out on his own board and dragged Ismail in, where he was met by three teenagers who had also come to surf at the popular break.

The group tied Ismail a makeshift tourniquet using the leg rope from his surfboard and administered emergency first aid.

One witness, who lived about 500 metres from the entrance of Glenfield Beach, and he knew something was seriously wrong when he saw the St John Ambulance “fly past”.

Locals began to make their own way down to the beach as Ismail was loaded from a ute into an ambulance.

Witnesses who saw Ismail’s injuries said he had suffered a serious bite to his leg and foot. His board had also been damaged, with a “massive” bite taken out of it.

Ismail was rushed to Geraldton Regional Hospital where he underwent surgery. He remains in a serious but stable condition.

The three teenagers are believed to be part of the local group Geraldton Board Riders, and a statement was posted by the club on Tuesday afternoon.

“Our thoughts are with Mal, his family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time. We wish Mal all the very best for his recovery and hope it is as quick and smooth as possible,” the statement said.

“While an incident like this is deeply upsetting for our surfing community, we also recognise that shark encounters of this nature remain extremely rare. As surfers, we love and respect the ocean and understand there are inherent risks that come with enjoying it.

“We would also like to sincerely thank everyone who responded and assisted on the beach yesterday, particularly the emergency services and members of the public who stepped in to help.

“A special thank you to three of our young Geraldton Board Riders members who did an incredible job providing lifesaving first aid before the ambulance arrived.

“We are incredibly proud of them and grateful for their quick thinking and willingness to help in such a confronting situation. Our thoughts remain firmly with Mal and everyone affected by yesterday’s events.”

Member for Geraldton Kirralee Warr praised the actions of the rescuers.

“The real heroes here are those people that were on the beach yesterday … the actions that they took have saved Mel’s life,” she said.

Friends of Ismail said he was a hobbyist surfer and a talented sportsman, who was very well-liked and respected in the community.

He works for the town’s fire and rescue department, and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said late on Monday they would be offering Ismail and his family support as he recovered.

His son posted to social media in the wake of the incident.

“As you are all aware of the events today with the old boy, we please ask you [to] just give us a little space with what all has happened and with the media running it all over the news [sic],” he said.

“We love and appreciate your support but however, for the time being, please just give us time and space to adjust for everything.”

Following the incident, Warr said she had become concerned the shark monitoring system was broken.

“What we do know is that fewer than 300 sharks are currently tagged under the state’s monitoring program,” she said.

“We have previously called on the government to undertake a review of the shark monitoring system to ensure it is providing the best possible information and protection for coastal communities.”

Fishing businesses in the region have also previously reported an anecdotal increase in sharks off the northern coast, after the demersal ban resulted in a downturn in the shark fishing industry. Demersal are often bycatch of shark fishers, making many licences unusable.

Surfers at the break, who did not wish to be named directly, said the attack on Ismail was also the “second or third” scare they had experienced with sharks in recent months in the Glenfield Beach area.

One man who had recently competed in a surf competition – which had only wrapped up a day before the attack – said he had become uneasy surfing off “Glennies”, and was relieved the competition had been held at Flats Rocks down the coast near Greenough.

“My kids surf there pretty much every morning, so it does make you think twice,” one surfer said.

The beach remained closed on Tuesday.

Authorities have taken Ismail’s bitten surfboard and wetsuit for DNA testing to determine the species of shark involved.

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