Man 'dies in shark attack' off Australia's east coast

A man has been killed in a suspected shark attack at Byron Bay, the popular tourist destination on Australia's east coast, officials have said.

Reports suggest the man is a British national and the Foreign Office said it is investigating.

Emergency services were called this morning after a man in his 50s was found in the water near Main Beach with "a very serious bite to his leg," New South Wales Ambulance spokeswoman Jackie Levett said.

Ms Levett said the man, who has yet to be named, was pulled from the water where he was treated by a doctor, but was later pronounced dead.

Helicopter footage from the scene showed a great white shark in the bay, but it is not known whether it is the same shark that attacked the man.

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A man on holiday told Australia's 7News that he noticed the unconscious body of the man floating in the water and pulled him to shore:

Police confirmed in a statement that he was "bitten on the right leg by what is believed to be a shark".

"He was seen floating in shallow water, close to the shore line, and dragged on to the beach," the statement added.

It was also reported that the swimmer's wife was on shore while the attack was taking place.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are aware of reports of the death of a British National in Australia and are looking into them.”