Shark attacks boy snorkelling in remote WA

A young boy is being flown to hospital after a shark bit him on the foot while he was snorkelling near Coral Bay in Western Australia.

The 10-year-old was attacked by a two-metre bronze whaler at Five Finger Reef, south of the remote town, about 11am, the state's Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said.

St John Ambulance said the boy was being air lifted to the Perth Children's Hospital.

He was about about 75 metres off shore at the time of the attack, the department said.

The beach at Five Finger Reef has been closed for 24 hours.

Parks and Wildlife officers have travelled to the scene.

In late March, spearfisherman Jackson Howson was bitten on the leg by a two-metre shark near Coral Bay. He managed to get away after punching it.

Coral Bay is about 1200km north of Perth.