Shark attacks are rare in the country and it is thought to be the first such death since 2013.
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Video caption: Shark attack: 'Heroic' boarders try to save surfer in New South Wales A surfer dies after a shark attack in New South Wales despite "heroic" efforts to save him.
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Video caption: Swedish couple 'save' shark bite Britons Video content
Video caption: British tourist has foot bitten off by shark in Australia The attack happened in the Whitsunday Islands near Australia's Great Barrier Reef.