Newcastle beaches remain closed as a shark continues to lurk near the coast for a fifth day. <\/p>\n
Newcastle beach inspectors say it's too risky to reopen beaches with a five-metre shark lurking near the coast for a fifth straight day. <\/p>\n
A great white shark of this size could bite someone in half, says Nobbys Beach inspector Paul Bernard. <\/p>\n
\"You don't get a second chance with these things, [a] bite can be fatal,\" he told AAP. <\/p>\n
\"We've never had a shark this size hanging around.\" <\/p>\n
The inspector, who was just metres away from the shark during a jet ski beach patrol, said it had been sighted numerous times. <\/p>\n
The shark was last seen by water police in a boat at about 2.30pm on Tuesday at Burwood Beach, near Merewether Beach where it was first sighted on Saturday afternoon. <\/p>\n
As a result, beaches have remained closed for a record fifth day in a row. <\/p>\n
Mr Bernard said the council was taking the decision seriously, especially as beach kiosks and businesses could be affected. <\/p>\n
\"Would I go into the water? Would I put my kids in the water? No,\" Mr Bernard said. <\/p>\n
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Newcastle beaches might stay closed<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Newcastle beaches remain closed as a shark continues to lurk near the coast for a fifth day. Newcastle beach inspectors say it's too risky to reopen beaches with a five-metre shark lurking near the coast for a fifth straight day. Continue reading