A 46-year-old Australian surfer died after being attacked by a shark on a popular Gold Coast beach.

The dreadful incident occurred on the beach in 62 years and despite protective “shark nets” and drumlines offshore.

The man was attacked at Greenmount Beach while surfing what is called the “Superbank”, one of the world’s best and most crowded site for an annual world surfing championship contest.

According to the details,  dozens of other surfers were there in the water at the time. There can often be hundreds in the water as the break is regarded as one of the safest in Australia.

Other surfers took the man to shore, where he was treated for severe leg injuries.

According to police, “Around 5 pm the man was pulled from the surf suffering from a life-threatening leg injury. The man succumbed to his injuries at the scene.”

Beaches along the tourist strip Gold Coast have been closed.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Wednesday said a large tiger shark was trapped in safety nets off the beach, but it was unclear what type of shark was involved in the attack.