Shark Attack: Two English Tourists Attacked In Australia, One Loses Foot

A shark attack Tuesday morning in northeastern Australia injured two British tourists, with one losing his foot. The attack occurred along the coast of Queensland, as the two men were snorkeling as part of a boat tour near Hook Passage by Whitsunday Islands.

The shark bit the 22-year-old on his leg, resulting in deep lacerations. The shark turned its attention to the 28-year-old, biting off his foot in the subsequent struggle.

Both men were rushed back to the tourist boat where a pair of paramedics applied tourniquets to stop the bleeding from their injuries.

They were evacuated by a helicopter to Mackay Base Hospital to receive treatment for their injuries. While the injuries were considered serious, 7News in Australia reported neither injury was life-threatening.

“We are saddened to confirm that two of our guests were injured in a shark attack this morning,” Tourism Whitsundays and the Whitsunday Regional Council said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with them, their families and the other guests on the tour.”

The attacks marked the sixth shark attack to be reported in the area over the last year. The most recent attacks occurred in September when two separate attacks occurred within 24 hours of each other at Hook Passage.

“We are going to have more and more of this happening until governments put public safety as their number one priority,” Whitsunday MP Jason Costigan said following the latest attacks.