A 12-YEAR-OLD boy is fighting for his life after a shark brutally mauled both his legs at a popular beach in Australia.
Five of the victim’s terrified pals watched in horror as the attack unfolded – before desperately trying to help him until emergency services arrived.
The horrifying attack took place at a Sydney Harbour beach on SundayCredit: Sky
Police boats were deployed to assist the 12-year-oldCredit: 9News
The horrifying attack happened at about 4.30pm at Nielsen Park in Vaucluse – a beach which has both a netted swimming area and open water.
Police said they responded with “multiple resources”, including intensive care paramedics and aeromedical teams on a helicopter.
Up to five other children were reportedly with the boy at the time of the assault.
They tried to assist him before emergency services arrived at the scene.
He was transported by boat to Rose Bay for urgent treatment – while officers were seen comforting shocked children at the beach.
Local cops said that “Water Police officers attached two medical tourniquets” before giving the boy first aid on board the Water Police 41 vessel.
He had sustained “serious leg injuries” and was given first aid again after arriving in hospital, police added.
“[His] injuries are consistent with what is believed to have been a large shark,” New South Wales police said.
An ambulance spokesperson said: “The patient, a teenage boy, with critical injuries to both of his legs, was transported to Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, in a critical condition.”
It is understood the boy was jumping off rocks at one end of the beach when the shark appeared.
Cops have closed the beach and urged swimmers to avoid the area of the attack.
Police are still searching for the shark responsible for the attack and have cordoned off the rock ledge where the kids were jumping.
The boy was pulled from the water “within minutes” of witnesses alerting police, the force said.
Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is trying to identify the species of shark which carried out the bloody attack.
Moriarty said: “This is a tragic shark attack on a young boy having a swim on a Sunday afternoon in a harbour beach in Sydney’s east.
“Our thoughts are with the young boy and his family.”
She added: “I understand there were also a lot of young people on the beach at the time of the attack. Our thoughts are also with them.”
The attack unfolded at Nielsen Park in Vaucluse, Sydney Harbour (stock)Credit: Alamy
