‘Extremely serious, life-changing’: Family of surfer attacked by 4m shark reveal devastating injurie
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The family of a surfer who suffered "life-changing" injuries during a horrific shark attack released an update on his condition. Toby Begg, 44, was bitten by a shark Friday morning while surfing at Lighthouse Beach, south of Port Macquarie. NSW Police said Mr Begg was attempting to tackle the approximately 4 meter long shark believed to be the Great White. A spokesperson for the Hunter New England local health district confirmed just after 11am on Saturday that his condition had gone from life-threatening to serious but stable. His brother-in-law, Chris Lenihan, said his injuries were "extremely serious and life-changing", but doctors are still trying to understand the full extent of the damage. Camera Icon Toby Begg, 44, was attacked by a shark on Friday at Lighthouse Beach. "This is at a very early stage and all of his scars are showing, but he will need multiple surgeries and has years of rehabilitation ahead," he said in a Facebook post Saturday morning. The talented builder and business owner is the main source of income for his young family, including his "loving partner" Tracy and their two children. A GoFundMe to help the family pay for their medical bills and the future cost of their traumatic injury has already raised more than $6,000. Camera Icon The father of two and her husband are in critical condition. Go Fund Me Credits NCA NewsWire Fire and Rescue Firefighters from the NSW Port Macquarie station offered their thoughts and prayers to the former duty firefighter. Shark quest begins Shark biologists evaluated photographs of bite marks on surfboard and determined that shark responsible for attack was most likely a Great White Shark, 3.8 to 4.2 meters long. A spokesperson for the NSW Department of Basic Industries said no shark matching this description has been seen in nearby waters since the attack. Camera Icon Shark biologists assessed damage to the board to identify the shark species involved.7 News News Corp Australia Camera Icon A Great White Shark was spotted in area the day before attack. Google NCA NewsWire But the Great White Shark was spotted by the shark listening station on Thursday. Three more Great White Sharks were caught on SMART drum lines in the area that day, one at Lighthouse Beach. Surfer fights shark after horrific injuries A teenage girl who witnessed the attack told 9 News that the man's foot was "torn off" and "bled all over". "They tried to tie his leg up with leg string from the surfboard and some sticks to keep it straight." NSW Police said it had helped other surfers "applied by tourniquets" by witnesses, including an off-duty doctor, to shore. "Reports show that the man tried fight this shark for up 30 seconds and then swam shore, realizing he sustained a significant injury his lower leg," Chief Inspector Martin Burke told reporters. A spokesman for NSW Ambulance said the man was injured in his lower leg and was rushed to Port Macquarie Base Hospital before being flown by Westpac Rescue Helicopter to Jo