A surfer has escaped from the jaws of what is thought to be a Great White Shark, while in the water near Ballina.

The young man is now in a stable condition.

Patrick Goddard reports. 

TRANSCRIPT

17 year old, Cooper Allen, was surfing with mates off popular Lighthouse Beach, just after Nine this morning.

A shark approach from behind his board and lunged… Latching onto Cooper’s right thigh.

The teen suffered major lacerations which narrowly missed a main artery.

David Wright, Ballina Mayor: “I’m still sick in the stomach the top jaw came across the surfers leg and has left three or four very large lacerations across the leg”.

Cooper’s friends dragged him to safety, keeping him calm until paramedics arrived.

Cooper is reportedly in good spirits, even joking with paramedics not to tell his Mum.

Paramedic: “All in all, considering what he has been through, he was very very good”.

Search helicopters spotted a 3 and a half metre Great White … not far from the attack scene.

Most beaches in the area have now been closed.

Life guards are advising all people to stay out of the water.

Patrick Goddard, QUT News.