Man feared dead after shark attack just 50ft from shore at popular beach in front of horrified sunbathers

A MAN is feared dead after a terrifying shark attack at a popular Australian beach – witnessed by his horror-stricken friend. Police and paramedics raced to Sorrento Beach, in Perth’s north, on Friday morning after reports a swimmer had been mauled. Emergency crews at the scene of a suspected fatal shark attack Credit: 9NEWS A swimmer is feared dead after the incident witnessed by horrified beachgoers Credit: 9NEWS A man, who has not been seen since, was swimming just 50ft from the shore when the beast struck, 7News reports. The victims heartbroken friend witnessed the entire tragedy unfold, local media reports. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Witness Darrel told local outlet 9News: “I feel for his mate, he’s apologising, he said ‘I couldn’t save my mate’. “I said ’you couldn’t have done anything.” One witness described the horrific scene, saying she saw the man being “thrown around like a fish” and “mauled” in the water. She added: “I’m a nurse, so I mean I obviously see a lot of gruesome stuff, but to see somebody being mauled to death in the water in front of me is pretty hard to clock.” Jacqui Rapaic, who was walking on the beach with a friend, described seeing a pool of blood in the water. “My friend said, ‘Jac, I think there’s been a shark attack’ and I looked out to the ocean and I could see a pool of blood,” she told the ABC. Most read in The Sun She said she believed two men had been swimming but only one of them had made it back to shore. Authorities have confirmed an investigation into a possible shark attack was underway. “Emergency services, including Water Police and the Police Air Wing, are at the scene,” WA Police said. “Further information will be provided once police have established the circumstances of the incident and, if required, family notified.” St John Ambulance WA told 7NEWS that three crews were sent to the beach but “have since been stood down”. Sorrento Beach has been closed as cops patrol the scene and a chopper hovers overhead. It comes just days after a surfer was mauled further up the coast. On Monday, 56-year-old surfer Mel Ismail was attacked by a shark off the waters of Glenfield Beach in Geraldton. He was dragged to shore by another surfer, Shannan Dunn, but suffered horror injuries to his right leg which had to be amputated below the shin. A member of the public had reported seeing a 2.5 metre-long shark off the beach earlier that day. It comes just a week after Surf Lifesaving WA began its helicopter shark patrols on weekends ahead of the summer season. Sorrento beach once had a shark barrier but the safety equipment was removed in 2020. More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us on TikTok @TheSun. Comment now