Authorities are searching for the shark and the man's missing limbs in the Bunker Bay area near Dunsborough

This article is more than 9 years old

This article is more than 9 years old

A bodyboarder has died after a shark bit off his legs at a popular surfing spot in Western Australia. Authorities were reportedly searching for the shark as well as the man's missing limbs.

The man in his early 20s was bodyboarding with five friends when the shark attacked, a police spokesman said.

He died at the scene in the surfing haven known as the Farm, off Bunker Bay near the town of Dunsborough. The beach was closed after the attack.

About 30 surfers were in the water when the shark attacked on Sunday, according to a beachside cafe employee, Deb Pickett, who called police and an ambulance after hearing the disturbance.

"We had some sharks spotted far out at sea a few months ago, but they never come this close to the shore," Pickett said.

She added that helicopters were still searching the area for the shark late on Sunday, while rescue staff searched for the man's arms and legs, which she believed had been taken by the shark.

Local official Ian Stubbs said it was the first shark attack in the area for more than 20 years.