Shark attack victim 'saved' by wife, bystanders at Lake Macquarie

A 58-year-old marine scientist owes his life to his quick-thinking wife, after he was attacked by a shark in the shallows of Lake Macquarie.

NSW Ambulance were called to the scene at Yoorala Road just before 6.30pm yesterday.

Rick Burbury suffered severe lacerations to his left arm and was flown to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

READ MORE: Husband, father killed by shark off SA coast

He had been swimming with his wife Julie, a doctor, who helped pull him to shore.

Matt Lumby, a lifeguard on holiday from Wollongong also offered emergency assistance.

"We noticed a guy getting thrashed around in the water and a bit of moaning and screams," Mr Lumby told 9News.

"I was yelling out to bystanders, 'someone get me a belt'."

Witness Matt Leahy said the belt was used to pinch the main artery in Mr Burbury's arm to stop the bleeding.

NSW Ambulance Inspector Grahame Rathbone called the assistance from bystanders "potentially lifesaving".

"He'd been treated by bystanders with some makeshift first aid which probably saved his life," Mr Rathbone said.

"He indicated the shark was as long as he is tall and he is a 6-foot gentleman."

Lake Macquarie is popular with waterskiiers and boaties. A great white was spotted in the area in 2014 and again in 2019.

The attack is the first in the area for decades.