Lucky escape for teen surfer attacked by shark in Mandurah

Zac Hlaing is still in shock after his usual pre-dawn surf turned into a mercy dash to hospital.

Speaking from Peel Health Campus (PHC), the 15 year old said he was surfing with a friend at Pyramids Beach around 5.30am yesterday morning when he was bitten by a shark while standing in waist-high water.

Thankfully, another man was surfing at the beach and drove Zac and his friend to PHC.

"I just felt something latch onto my leg – it all happened so fast,” Zac said.

"It hurt a little bit but wasn't too bad.

"I live near the beach and have been surfing my whole life. I surf every day but have never seen anything like that before."

PHC Emergency Department (ED) Nurse Unit Manager, Naomi Prichard-McCallum said the primary focus was Zac's care and wellbeing – assessing him quickly and ensuring his safety.

"It must have been an incredibly frightening ordeal for Zac and his family," Naomi said.

"Zac was amazing and showed calm and poise beyond his years."

"We have a wonderful team here at PHC ED and they said Zac was a pleasure to look after. We all wish him a speedy recovery."

Zac was transferred to Fiona Stanley Hospital late on Tuesday afternoon for surgery.

Zac's Dad, Ben, said the family were not only grateful for the clinical care his son received but also the actions of the fellow surfer who helped him get the timely medical attention he needed.

"I'm definitely going to look him up and buy him a beer!"

Zac said despite the close encounter he was determined to get back on his board as soon as he could, although maybe not the same surfing spot for a while.

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