A man has died while surfing near Margaret River after he was struck by a surfboard in a freak accident.
Police spokesman Sam Dinnison said police were called to
Surfers Point Break in Prevelly about 11am on Wednesday where a surfer
had been seriously injured.
Officers assisted paramedics with first aid and travelled with the ambulance to Margaret River Hospital.
It is believed the man, who was surfing at the popular Margaret River break, had been struck by a surfboard.
Police have confirmed the surfer was a 51-year-old man from NSW.
A local surfer said: "I was working down the beach and saw
the ambulance and one of the boys said he gashed his femoral artery,
that's how he passed away, that's what I heard."
"We don't know if it was another surfer or his surfboard that cut him.
"It was very, very tragic, mate."
Margaret River resident Anthony Pancia was surfing the same
break earlier on Wednesday morning and said the swell had been solid.
"It was surprisingly solid and there appeared to be a bit of a spike in the swell mid morning," Mr Pancia said.
"The swell itself had a funny little angle to it, lots of wide close-outs and was really heaving on the inside ledge.
"Lots of people ditch their boards out there, it's kinda what
you do over a certain size and everyone tends to ride bigger boards.
"Everyone also tends to have a quick look behind them before bailing. But the swell had some real punch to it."
He said the morning looked deceptively mellow from the carpark that morning, but solid sets had popped up unexpectedly.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
