Woman attacked by shark off Sandland Island near Jurien Bay in Western Australia

A woman in her 40s has been attacked by a tiger shark at a small island near Jurien Bay in Western Australia.

The woman was bitten by a two-metre tiger shark while she was in waist-deep water off Sandland Island, north of the town of Jurien Bay, the state’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said.

Paramedics received a call at 11.45am local time on Monday, and sent two road crews to Jurien Bay harbour, about 220km north of Perth, a St John Ambulance Western Australia spokesperson told Guardian Australia.

“She is in a serious condition,” the spokesperson said.

Sandland Island is about 300m offshore and about two hectares in size.

Authorities said beaches in the area have been closed.

The WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is investigating the reported shark bite. SharkSmart – the WA government shark activity tracker – has urged locals to “take additional caution in the Jurien Bay area”.

More to come.