Australian surfer punches shark in 'Mick Fanning replay'

An Australian surfer has punched a shark which was attacking him at Evans Head, New South Wales, say police.

Craig Ison, 52, suffered serious leg and arm injuries during the fight with a suspected bull shark early on Friday.

Mr Ison made it back to shore where a passerby applied a tourniquet to his leg, said the police statement.

Earlier this month, Australian three-time world champion surfer Mick Fanning escaped unharmed after punching a shark during a competition in South Africa.

Geoff Hill, a friend of Mr Ison and who saw the attack, told local media it was "like watching a Mick Fanning replay".

"We were just paddling out to get a wave and he's called out: go back in, there's a shark."

"I paddled to him but by then he was on his board and paddling back."

Main Beach, Shark Bay and Chinamans Beach have since been closed.