Man injured in east Australia shark attack

SYDNEY (AFP) - A man survived an attack by a shark off Australia's east coast on Friday, but lost a finger and suffered a serious bite to the thigh, ambulance officials said.

The 29-year-old was in the water near Port Macquarie, 390 km north of Sydney, when he was mauled.

"A rescue helicopter was called," a New South Wales ambulance spokesman said.

"On arrival, paramedics found a 29-year-old male with shark bites, allegedly from a bull shark, to his right hand and right thigh.