A major marine emergency has unfolded on the West Australian coast, with a large-scale search operation launched for a missing snorkeler and a teenager rushed to hospital with a suspected shark bite in two separate incidents.
Intensive Search for Missing Man at Ledge Point
Emergency services are scouring the ocean and coastline about 120 kilometres north of Perth for a man who disappeared while snorkelling. The incident occurred off Ledge Point on Thursday afternoon.
WA Police confirmed the man was part of a group of four people when he vanished. The alarm was raised at approximately 3:00 pm.
A significant number of resources have been deployed to find him. The search effort includes Water Police vessels, a police helicopter conducting grid searches offshore, and numerous officers on the beach and in the water.
Teenager Injured in Suspected Shark Bite at Mindarie
In a separate ocean emergency, a teenager is receiving hospital treatment for injuries consistent with a shark bite. The incident happened at Catalina Beach near Mindarie, a northern coastal suburb of Perth, at around 3:45 pm on Thursday.
According to social media posts from witnesses, people at the beach assisted the injured teen into a car. He was then driven by a friend to Joondalup Hospital for urgent care.
Police reports indicate the youth sustained an injury to his ankle. Authorities have stated the wound is not considered life-threatening.
Authorities Mobilise for Coastal Incidents
The dual incidents have prompted a substantial response from WA Police and emergency services, highlighting the dangers present in Western Australia's coastal waters.
The search for the missing snorkeler at Ledge Point remains active and is focused on the area off the main beach. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
While the teen's injury is serious, the quick actions of bystanders in getting him to hospital are credited with ensuring he received prompt medical attention.
