Barwon Health believes a seven-year-old boy taken to hospital yesterday was not the victim of a shark attack.
Paramedics were called to 13th Beach at Barwon Heads at around 6pm after the boy suffered lower body injuries, prompting an evacuation of local beaches due to a possible shark attack.
The boy was taken to Geelong University Hospital in a stable condition.
However a Barwon Health spokesperson said the boy’s injuries were not consistent with a shark attack.
“After swimming at the beach, a boy arrived to our ED with a very minor injury and was discharged later that night,” the spokesperson said.
“Emergency staff do not believe the injury was related to any marine animals, such as a shark or stingray.”
A shark sighting was reported near Bancoora Beach shortly after the boy was injured, however an aerial search failed to spot anything.
Nearby beaches from Breamlea to Ocean Grove were closed overnight, but were reopened today.
Shark sightings can be reported to the Police Assistance line on 131 444 or notify lifesavers immediately if you are at a patrolled beach.
