A man in his early 20s has been taken to hospital in Esperance, after reportedly being bitten on both arms in a shark attack at Wylie Bay on WA’s south coast.

The man was believed to be surfing and sustained serious injuries at Wylie Bay, police say. Wylie Bay is a few kilometres east of the centre of Esperance.

The attack happened about 11am and advised the man had been bitten on both of his arms. The person who called the ambulance said the man had lost one arm from the wrist and the other from the elbow, along with suffering lacerations to a leg a St John Ambulance representative said.

The Fisheries Department has said “equipment” had been deployed in the area an effort to catch the shark responsible for the attack.

It is unclear whether or not the shark is a Great White.

Rangers have since closed the beach, which is usually four-wheel-drive access only.

There are reports that there have been shark sightings in the area of the incident during the past fortnight.

This attack follows the West Australia government’s approach to implement a number of programs throughout the state in an attempt to mitigate the risk of shark attacks in the area following seven fatal attacks in a three-year period since 2010.

More to come.