Man fighting for life after being bitten by shark off Western Australian coast

Government department says man was in the water around Michaelmas Island, near Albany, when he was bitten by a suspected 4.5-metre shark

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A male diver aged in his 30s has died after being bitten by a shark in Western Australia .

The state’s police force confirmed on Saturday afternoon that the 35-year-old man had died, after being treated by paramedics at the scene for more than two hours.

The man was spearfishing with his family near Michaelmas Island, off the coast of Albany and about 375kms south-east of Perth, on Saturday morning, police said in a statement.

Police said emergency services were called to reports of a possible shark attack, and the man was brought to shore in a boat where he was met by paramedics, who were unable to revive him.

The state’s department of primary industries said the man was bitten by a suspected 4.5-metre shark just before 11.30am Saturday AWST.

St John Ambulance said on Saturday afternoon that multiple crews of paramedics had remained at the scene treating the man.

The department of primary industries warned people to take additional caution in the Michaelmas Island area, and to adhere to any beach closures advised by local park rangers or surf life savers.

The department said it was working with police and other local authorities to coordinate the response to the incident.

Police said they would prepare a report for the coroner.