Shark attack leaves woman with serious leg injuries

A woman will undergo surgery after being bitten on the leg by a shark in Australia's Port Macquarie on Saturday morning, according to New South Wales Police.

Emergency services were called to Shelly Beach in Port Macquarie following reports of a shark attack.

"The emergency services were alerted just after 9:30 this morning to a female that had been bitten by a shark down here at Shelly beach," said Lifeguard supervisor James Turnham on Saturday on Shelly beach.

New South Wales Ambulance paramedics treated a woman in her 30s at the scene for leg injuries before transferring her to Port Macquarie Hospital in a stable condition.

She was later airlifted to Newcastle Hospital where she will undergo surgery.

Local Police were told the woman and a man were surfing when she was bitten on the right calf then the back of her thigh. Her companion was forced to punch the attacker until it let go.

News South Wales Ambulance Andy Beverly praised the first aid support she received, saying the application of "a makeshift tourniquet" may have been "life saving".

The Department of primary industries has confirmed that based on photos, the shark responsible is a juvenile white shark.

Beaches in the area will be closed for the next 24 hours.