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Great white shark sighting closes Cottesloe beach

Charlotte EltonThe West Australian
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The shark that was spotted off the coast Friday morning and forcing Cottesloe Beach to close.
Camera IconThe shark that was spotted off the coast Friday morning and forcing Cottesloe Beach to close. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS

UPDATE The massive great white shark that terrorised swimmers at Cottesloe this morning has returned, prompting the beach’s closure for the second time today.

The update comes after earlier news Cottesloe beach was evacuated this morning after a surf lifesaving helicopter spotted a massive white shark off shore.

It is believed to be a great white, five metres in length.
Camera IconIt is believed to be a great white, five metres in length. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS

The 5m-long shark was spotted at 9.32am, just 300m out from the popular North Cottesloe beach.

At 9.35am, Surf Life Saving WA tweeted that the beach had been closed.

While it was reopened for a few hours the shark’s return has closed the beach to the public once again.

The tiger shark was detected on multiple occasions overnight between Scarborough and Leighton beaches.

The 5m great white was sighted of North Cottesloe beach.
Camera IconThe 5m great white was sighted of North Cottesloe beach. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS
Beachgoers were forced to evacuate the waters.
Camera IconBeachgoers were forced to evacuate the waters. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS

Halfway between Fremantle and Perth, Cottesloe beach is one of WA’s most famous — and busy — beaches.

The beach has seen shark attacks in the past.

In October 2011, 64-year-old swimmer Bryn Martin disappeared while swimming off Cottesloe after a suspected shark attack.

His swimming costume was later found on the seabed several hundred metres from the shore.

Ken Crew, 49, of Mosman Park, was killed by a shark while swimming at North Cottesloe.
Camera IconKen Crew, 49, of Mosman Park, was killed by a shark while swimming at North Cottesloe. Credit: Unknown

In 2000, local Ken Crew was attacked and killed at North Cottesloe Beach by a great white shark.

The Perth man had been swimming in water that was just waist-deep.

The town of Cottesloe installed a shark net last year to help protect swimmers.

The beach has seen shark attacks in the past.
Camera IconThe beach has seen shark attacks in the past. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS
The town of Cottesloe installed a shark net last year to help protect swimmers.
Camera IconThe town of Cottesloe installed a shark net last year to help protect swimmers. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS

It was removed in June for the winter months, but was returned in November.

In recent months, WA has seen a spate of shark-sightings and attacks.

Today’s sighting comes just days after surfer Sam Heseltine’s board was bitten by an unidentified shark at Broome’s Cable Beach.

The lucky surfer was uninjured, but was left with bite punctures on his board.

Mr Cernobori was fatally attacked by a bull shark off the popular Broome beach last month. His partner Sandra Howard said she was left heartbroken.
Camera IconMr Cernobori was fatally attacked by a bull shark off the popular Broome beach last month. His partner Sandra Howard said she was left heartbroken. Credit: NCA NewsWire

Tragically, 58 year-old local Charles Cernobori died after being bitten while swimming at the same beach in late November.

Mr Cernobori was just 40m offshore when the 3-4m bull shark attacked him.

And in January, Esperance local Gary Johnson was killed by a great white shark while diving near Cull Island off the south coast.

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