Shark attack victim is identified after horrific mauling at Manly - as extraordinary details emerge about race to save his life

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A surfer left fighting for life after a shark attack at a popular beach has been identified as a musician. 

Andre de Ruyter, 27, remains in Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition after receiving 13 units of blood and undergoing emergency surgery for severe leg injuries.

Mr de Ruyter was pulled to the shore after being bitten during the attack at North Steyne Beach in Manly, Sydney's northern suburbs, at about 6.20pm on Monday.

First responders treated Mr de Ruyter on the sand before he was rushed to hospital.

The Wollongong surfer, who had travelled to Manly for the day, suffered catastrophic injuries to his lower leg and was in cardiac arrest by the time paramedics arrived.

A 15cm bite mark on the young surfer's board suggests he was most likely attacked by a bull shark, according to shark biologists from the primary industries department.

Northern Beaches Council lifeguards sounded the alarm immediately after the attack, then erected shark warning signs and dispatched a jet ski to patrol the water. 

Surf Life Saving NSW also launched a drone to assist with locating the shark, but there have been no further sightings.

Shark victim Andre de Ruyter remains in Royal North Shore Hospital fighting for his life in critical condition

First responders treated Mr de Ruyter on the sand before he was rushed to the Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition

'Council lifeguards will continue to patrol for the remainder of the day and tomorrow,' a Northern Beaches Council spokesman said.

NSW Ambulance acting-Superintendent Christie Marks revealed on Tuesday the extraordinary details which gave Mr de Ruyter his best chance of survival.

'We had our inspector liaising with the aero-med team, and what they do is liaise with our hospitals,' she said.

'So there was (blood) that actually came from the northern beaches, and Royal North Shore.

'We had two police highway patrol cars that met at Spit Bridge, and then what they said was almost like an F1 pit stop of ten seconds less and they just opened the door, and they administered 13 units of blood'.

Ms Marks said the man had sustained a 'severe lower leg injury' and had lost a significant amount of blood.

She said surf lifesavers and members of the public already in the water helped keep Mr de Ruyter alive.

'The patient was treated by a number of people before we got there, which was amazing,' Ms Marks said.

Police salvaged the victim's board

Emergency services moved quick to treat the victim and rush him to hospital

'The surf lifesavers, the people who were in the water with the patient, applied a tourniquet to the patient before we arrived. The patient received 13 units of blood on the way to hospital.

'We were very lucky to have NSW Police liaise with us on the way.'

Ms Marks said Highway Patrol officers delivered additional blood supplies en route.

'The Highway Patrol were able to meet us en route to Royal North Shore Hospital and give us extra blood needed on the way,' she said.

'This is something that doesn't happen a lot and that is going to be something that is going to give him the best chance of surviving.'

It was also revealed an off-duty NSW Ambulance doctor was swimming at the beach during the attack and immediately assisted with treatment.

'We also had one of the off-duty New South Wales Ambulance doctors who happened to be at the beach swimming at the time as well, and he was also a part of treating this patient,' Ms Marks said.

'So everything that the people have done together and the agencies that have worked together is the best chance of survival for this patient.'

Mr de Ruyter was the third shark attack victim in NSW before a fourth attack occurred on Tuesday 

Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steven Pearce said lifesavers were undergoing CPR and first-aid training at nearby North Steyne Surf Club when the attack occurred.

'They were able to immediately leave the building, get onto the beach, take the defibrillator and get down there … apply a tourniquet and commence CPR,' Mr Pearce said.

'No doubt that quick responding and immediate first aid response has really given this gentleman a true chance of survival,' Mr Pearce said.

'When we look at this particular incident that had occurred last night, it is eerily similar to, unfortunately, the Bondi attack in December, where we had life savers on scene as the immediate first responders.'

Mr Pearce said Northern Beaches Council lifesavers quickly evacuated everyone from the beach, while a Surf Life Saving UAV drone was deployed to locate the shark, alongside the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and lifesavers on jet skis. 

All assets will remain in use today as NSW Police announced all beaches along the northern beaches are closed.

On Tuesday, a man was rushed to hospital after being bitten by a shark on the NSW Mid North Coast, marking the fourth attack in less than 48 hours.

Surfers camping at Point Plomer, between Crescent Head and Port Macquarie, reportedly saw four bull sharks in the water before a 39-year-old man was attacked.

Mr de Ruyter was treated onshore after being dragged from the water

On Tuesday, a man rushed to hospital after being bitten by a shark on the NSW Mid North Coast marked the fourth attack in less than 48 hours

It's understood the shark bit through the man's wetsuit and took a chunk out of his board. He reportedly drove himself to Kempsey District Hospital.

On Monday morning, an 11-year-old boy was attacked at Dee Why Point.

He was thrown off his surfboard by a large shark, also believed to be a bull shark, which took several bites out of his board.

The shark net had been set as normal on Dee Why Beach, which was closed at the time of the attack because of large swells and dangerous surf.

The attack followed another off Shark Beach at Vaucluse on Sydney Harbour, near the Heads, about 4.20pm on Sunday.

A boy, 12, was swimming with his friends at a popular jump rock west of the beach and was bitten outside the netted swimming area.

His friends helped him to shore.

It's believed he was also attacked by a large bull shark.