Professional surfer mauled by shark

A professional surfer was mauled by a shark off the Australian east coast on Wednesday evening, officials said.

Brett Connellan, 22, was flown by helicopter to Sydney's St. George Hospital in serious condition after he was attacked 120 kilometers to the south off a beach near Kiama, a police statement said.

He suffered injuries to a thigh and a hand in the attack off Bombo Beach at 7 pm and was helped 100 meters to shore by a fellow surfer, Joel Trist, police said.