An Australian teenager was killed in a shark attack on Tuesday while surfing with a friend at Balina, on the New South Wales coast, Reuters reports. Brock Curtis-Matthew tried to help his 16-year-old friend, Peter Edmonds, swimming towards him, even though he knew that the shark was in the water. He managed to get his friend up onto the shore but, unfortunately, the teen’s wounds were fatal. The paramedics and lifeguards declared that there was nothing that they could do in order to save the boy’s life.

Curtis-Matthew told journalists that he saw a “big, grey shadow” passing beneath him and he swam in order to reach his friend some 50 meters from the beach. “I saw him on his back with his head above the water. Then he turned so he was face down. I thought he was only joking, so I went over to him and as I flipped him over I saw his leg. He didn't make one noise,” the boy declared, quoted by the Guardian.

According to lifeguard spokesman Stephen Leahy, Edmonds suffered two large bites, one to the leg and one to the body. He eventually died due to extreme blood loss. After the horrific incident, all nearby beaches were closed as a precaution and the crews are presently looking for the shark. It is still unknown what type of the shark attacked the teen. However, residents said bull sharks were spotted in recent days.

Edmond’s friend is currently being treated for shock. Local police Chief Steve Clark mentioned the boy demonstrated extraordinary courage by returning into the water after seeing the shark.

There are about 15 shark attacks a year in Australian waters and this one was the first fatal shark attack in Australia in two years.