A mother of two British boys who were surfing in Byron Bay where a swimmer was killed by a shark this week said they were told the water was totally safe.
The 50-year-old man sustained severe injuries on his right leg at resort in New South Wales. A swimmer brought him in to the beach but he was pronounced dead, said the BBC.
Alexia Yuill, who lives in London, was on holiday in the popular Australian resort where her two sons, Jamie and Connor, had surfing lessons.
"When I woke up this morning and read about the shark attack, I couldn’t believe it," she said. "My husband and two boys were surfing there and when my youngest said he was nervous their instructor told him ‘don’t worry little dude, no sharks here’.
"He assured them there hadn’t been a shark in the bay for 17 years."
Jamie & Conor surfing at Byron Bay, with little sister Phoebe
Beaches in the Byron Bay area were closed for 24 hours following the attack earlier this week and people were warned to stay out of the water.
"At 10:45 police and paramedics were called to Main Beach after reports of a shark attack," New South Wales police said in a statement.
The man was in the water when he was bitten by what was believed to be a shark, they said.
"He was seen floating in shallow water, close to the shore line, and dragged onto the beach. An ambulance was called and he was pronounced dead a short time later," the statement said.
Rescue organisation Surf Lifesaving Australia said the beach was not supervised at the time of the attack as it had occurred a week before seasonal duties.
"But at the council’s request, lifeguards will be on duty for at least the next 24 hours ensuring the water remains clear," it said in a statement.
There have been several shark attacks off Australia’s beaches in recent years, said the BBC.
In April, a woman was killed as she swam off Tathra beach, also in New South Wales.
However, Mrs Yuill, who is originally from Australia, said Byron Bay prided itself on being the best and safest beach in the country.
