Beachgoers who raced to the aid of a surfer attacked by a Great White shark have been praised.
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Joe Hoffman, a 25-year-old experienced surfer from Queensland's Sunshine Coast, was swimming back to shore at Crescent Head when he was bitten by what Surf Life Saving NSW confirmed to be a three-metre great white shark.
"He was swimming back in at the beach front with his mate before being attacked," one witness told the Macleay Argus.
"They managed to get him out of the water, others ran down and helped as they carried him up to the park.
"It was the unconditional action of tourists and locals that saved him."
The man, who was surfing at Crescent Head Beach on Monday afternoon, was pulled out of the water by beachgoers and given first aid on a picnic table.
"Much praise must be given to bystanders who helped the man from the water and provided that crucial initial first aid," NSW Ambulance Inspector Andrew Beverley said from the NSW mid north coast.
"It was a significant bite and the man suffered serious injuries to his arm as a result."
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Paramedics treated the man's serious arm injury before the Westpac Rescue Helicopter with a critical care paramedic and critical care doctor on board, tended him at the beach.
Mr Hoffman was flown to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital and remains in a serious but stable condition.
A picture posted to the Crescent Head Santa Surf Facebook page shows a large bite taken out of the his surfboard.
The caption read: "Be careful out there."
The NSW Department of Primary Industries confirmed the likely presence of a white shark.
"DPI is assisting NSW Police and Surf Life Saving NSW to monitor the area and provide technical advice and resources as required," they said.
The beach has been closed by Surf Life Saving NSW.
Surf Life Saving NSW drones are assisting with surveillance flights for sharks in the area.
