Man Killed In Apparent Shark Attack At Byron Bay

A swimmer died on Tuesday morning in Byron Bay in New South Wales, Australia, after he was bit on his "right leg by what is believed to be a shark," officials said.

Mark Hickey saw blood in the water and pulled the man, identified as British ex-pat Paul Wilcox, onto the sand at Clarkes Beach.

"I didn't know it was a person," Hickey told The Guardian, "but when I realized I ran out and waded to the bank and grabbed him."

He tried to administer CPR, but it was too late. Wilcox, 50, was pronounced dead on the beach.

Authorities told reporters that Wilcox, who lived in the area, was most likely swimming alone when his leg was bit. His wife was on the beach while he was in the water.

News helicopters reported sightings of what is believed to be a great white shark swimming close to shore in the area shortly after the incident. New South Wales Police Inspector Bobbie Cullen told ABC News that they might be able to "push the shark out to sea" if located.

This is Australia's fourth shark-related death this year, according to the Shark Attack File, a research site that gathers data on shark-related incidents worldwide.