A British tourist has had his foot bitten off by a shark while snorkelling in Australia.
Alistair Raddon, 28, was with 22-year-old Danny Maggs, in the waters of Hook Passage in the Whitsunday Islands in northern Queensland when they were attacked.
They were brought seven miles by boat to the town of Airlie Beach on the Australian mainland, where paramedics were waiting.
They were then taken by helicopter to a hospital in the city of Mackay, about 590 miles north of Brisbane, in serious but stable conditions.
The Associated Press quoted the hospital as saying the Mr Raddon had lost his foot in the attack, while Mr Maggs had suffered serious lacerations to his calf.
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RACQ CQ Rescue, which airlifted the men to hospital, said the pair had told the crew they had been "wrestling and thrashing" in the water when the attack happened.
Tracey Eastwick, manager of operations for Queensland Ambulance Service, said two German backpackers were on-board a boat with the men, and were able to administer immediate first aid.
She said: "It was fortunate that we understand there was two German paramedics on-board the vessel at the time, who were able to render first aid.
"Certainly any first aid in those sorts of circumstances, with those injuries, is extremely important."
ZigZag Whitsundays, operators of the tour the two men were on, said: "We are saddened to confirm that two of our guests were injured in a shark attack this morning.
"Our thoughts are with them, their families and the other guests on the tour.
"We are working with authorities to assist in any way we can.
"We have suspended our tours for today and will work closely with authorities regarding our upcoming tours."
