Wife saw Byron Bay man die in shark attack

The wife of a man killed by a shark on a popular northern NSW beach saw the attack.

Police have confirmed a Byron Bay man, in his 50s, died after he was bitten on the right leg while swimming off Clarkes Beach at approximately 10.30am on Tuesday.

The man was dragged from water by another man but died at the scene despite CPR attempts from volunteer lifeguards.

Police said the man's wife was watching her husband from the beach when the attack occurred.

"He sustained severe injuries to his right leg," Inspector Bobbie Cullen told reporters at the scene.

"The victim's family is being notified.

"Unfortunately his wife was on the beach at the time."

The stretch of coastline along Byron Bay has been closed with crowds of locals and tourists gathering along the beach.

Lifeguards have spotted a shark in the water off the beach, believed to be a Great White.

Insp Cullen said lifeguards were attempting to use a helicopter and jet skis to push the animal out to sea.

She said there was no plan to kill the shark, especially with Great Whites being a protected species.

Police have praised an onlooker who risked his own life to pull the man from the water.

"We can only thank him for his efforts," Insp Cullen.

She said the man was only 15-to-20 metres offshore when he was attacked.

Earlier, Newcastle lawyer, Mark Hickey, told News Corp Australia how he rushed into the water to help the man, despite the risk to his own life.

He said he saw a six-or-seven foot shark menacing the victim.

"I saw what looked like seaweed but it was blood in the water," he said.

"The shark came back to him and had another go. I didn't know it was a person but when I realised I ran out and waded to the bank and grabbed him and did CPR but it was too late."

The victim was brought back to the beach on a surf ski but could not be saved.