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Port beach shark attack: Desperate search resumes for missing swimmer

Headshot of David Johns
David JohnsThe West Australian
Flowers left at the scene.
Camera IconFlowers left at the scene. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS

Police and emergency services have resumed the desperate search for a 57-year-old man missing after a horror shark attack at Port beach.

The missing swimmer could not be found on Saturday after witnesses saw the man struggling in the water before being “dragged under” the waves by the shark around 10am.

The man was revealed late Saturday afternoon to be a father who swam regularly in the area.

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The water search was scaled down overnight to beach patrols but resumed at first light on Sunday, with Surf Life Saving WA closing all beaches from Fremantle’s Noth Mole right up to Cottesloe.

Police officers will continue to patrol the coastline on foot, while water police will work with Marine Rescue WA, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and SLSWA on the water.

Floral tributes have been placed near the dunes overlooking the water.

WA Police Senior Sergeant Troy Douglas said on Saturday that the terrifying incident was witnessed by four teenage boys in a dinghy on the water — just metres away from where the man was mauled.

A scaled down search overnight for a 57-year-old man after a possible shark attack Saturday at Port Beach. 
Picture 7NEWS
Camera IconA scaled down search overnight for a 57-year-old man after a possible shark attack Saturday at Port Beach. Picture 7NEWS Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS

“They vividly saw what was going on in the water … a person being attacked by a shark,” he said.

“And they have alerted emergency services straight away.”

The boys were hailed as heroes by police and witnesses for getting other swimmers out of the water so quickly.

A scaled down search overnight for a 57-year-old man after a possible shark attack Saturday at Port Beach. 
Picture 7NEWS
Camera IconA scaled down search overnight for a 57-year-old man after a possible shark attack Saturday at Port Beach. Picture 7NEWS Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS

Sen. Sgt Douglas said the man’s family stayed at the beach for some time after the attack but were since leaning on family members for support.

“The man’s family is holding up well. (They) are hopeful,” he said.

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