Beaches closed after teenage surfer was bitten by shark and left with hand injury

Beaches have been closed after a teenage surfer was bitten by a shark.

The youngster was bitten in the arm in the incident in New South Wales, Australia.

It prompted the closure of Avoca and North Avoca beaches after the incident at 7am yesterday, according to 9news.com

Publication nine.com.au also reported the teen was taken to to Gosford Hospital for treatment.

New South Wales Ambulance said: "Early this morning we responded to a shark bite at North Avoca and treated a teenage boy for injuries to his hand.

The injured youngster was taken to Gosford Hospital in New South Wales after being treated by paramedics.

Avoca Beach was closed after the teenager was attacked by a shark (Getty Images)

Central Coast Council said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with the young surfer who sustained a wound to his right lower forearm.

"We ask that all community members avoid Avoca and North Avoca beaches at this time until DPI (Department of Primary Industries) and Council can investigate this incident further."

Authorities sent a drone to North Avoca beach, which is popular with swimmers and surfers in an attempt to try and locate the shark.

An aerial view of the North Avoca beach in New South Wales (Getty Images)

Gosford Hospital has since discharged the boy.

Earlier last month The Mirror reported how another teen said he was lucky to be alive after his friend rescued him from a massive Great White Shark that attacked him while spearfishing.

Luke Pascoe was sent to hospital after being attacked by the monster fish while swimming in waters around Mistaken Island, Albany in Western Australia on Monday.

North Avoca Beach where the attack happened in New South Wales, Australia (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

In a statement the following day, local authorities confirmed a spearfisherman "received injuries after being bitten by a suspected white shark ".

Locals reported seeing a huge great white prowling through the waves around 40-metres offshore.

Luke, 17, told ABC he would be dead if it wasn't for the bravery of his friend Conner Shirley.

After the shark took a chunk out of Luke, Conner lifted him on his back and carried him for 2km over unsteady rocky ground.

Authorities sent a drone to North Avoca beach in an attempt to try and locate the shark [stock image] (Getty Images)

Luke said: "I owe my life to him. I was lying in bed last night and I was thinking to myself how lucky I am to still be here."

Quick-thinking Conner fashioned a tourniquet from his dive belt and wrapped it around Luke's leg wound to stop the bleeding.

Conner told ABC: "First aid at school actually taught me a couple of things."

People were asked to stay away from the beach until investigations had been completed [stock image] (Getty Images)

The 17-year-old - who is still in hospital - said he's still keen to get back in the water despite the horror attack.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development announced news of Luke's injuries on Tuesday and advised locals to be careful when swimming in the area.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing according to authorities in the area.