A heroic rescue and a broken system: The Geraldton shark attack that has locals on edge

A heroic surfer didn’t hesitate plunging into bloody waters off Geraldton to pull a shark attack victim to safety, locals say.

Further details of the rescue effort have emerged following the attack on 56-year-old Mel Ismail on Monday, with people highlighting the heroic work of one surfer and three teenagers who worked to save the father after he suffered a serious bite to his leg.

It is not known exactly what time the attack occurred, but it is understood Ismail was found when another surfer, believed to be in his 40s, arrived at the beach about 9.50am.

When he came over a dune, he saw a pool of blood about 40 metres out from the shore and Ismail waving for help.

Without hesitation, the surfer paddled out on his own board and dragged Ismail in, where he was met by three teenagers who had also come to surf at the popular break.

The group tied Ismail a makeshift tourniquet using the leg rope from his surfboard and administered emergency first aid.

One witness, who lived about 500 metres from the entrance of Glenfield Beach, and he knew something was seriously wrong when he saw the St John Ambulance “fly past”.

Locals began to make their own way down to the beach as Ismail was loaded from a ute into an ambulance.

Witnesses who saw Ismail’s injuries said he had suffered a serious bite to his leg and foot. His board had also been damaged, with a “massive” bite taken out of it.

Ismail was rushed to Geraldton Regional Hospital where he underwent surgery. He remains in a serious but stable condition.

Member for Geraldton Kirralee Warr praised the actions of the rescuers.

“The real heroes here are those people that were on the beach yesterday … the actions that they took have saved Mel’s life,” she said.

Friends of Ismail said he was a hobbyist surfer and a talented sportsman, who was very well-liked and respected in the community.

He works for the town’s fire and rescue department, and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said late on Monday they would be offering Ismail and his family support as he recovered.