Man critically injured in Australia shark attack

In the North of the Australian state of Queensland, a shark has attacked a man at Britomart Reef, 120 kilometres north of Townsville, local media reported.

The 59-year-old man was bitten on the upper thigh while spear-fishing on Sunday with a local group, according to local police.

"On arrival, he didn't have a pulse, so I would say that's not a good place to be in," said Queensland Ambulance Service Senior Operations Supervisor Ray Hardy in Townsville on Sunday.

The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) said the man was in a critical condition.

He was initially treated by paramedics the Dungeness boat ramp at Lucinda before being airlifted to Townsville University Hospital to undergo surgery.

Britomart Reef is a popular Queensland snorkelling and spear-fishing site off Hinchinbrook.