Shark bites off foot of snorkeler

Two British tourists were injured in a shark attack in northeastern Australia on Tuesday morning, with one losing his foot.

The two men, aged 22 and 28, were on a snorkeling tour boat near Airlie Beach in the state of Queensland, according to CNN affiliate 7 News.

The boat took the passengers to Hook Passage, a popular snorkeling spot just off the coast by the Whitsunday Islands, according to a statement from regional tourism organization Tourism Whitsundays.

The 22-year-old was attacked first, suffering lacerations on his lower leg, 7 News reported. The shark is believed to have then attacked the other man, biting off his foot.

The tourists had been "wrestling and thrashing about in the water in Hook Passage when the attack occurred," according to the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland, which coordinated the helicopter rescue.

There were two other passengers on board who were paramedics and provided immediate first aid, said Tourism Whitsundays.

The two men were airlifted to Mackay Hospital by helicopter, with one patient stable and the second "serious," according to the Queensland Ambulance Service.

ZigZag Whitsundays, the tour group operator, said in a statement it was "saddened" by the incident. "Our thoughts are with them, their families and the other guests on the tour," the statement said.

The statement added that the group had suspended its remaining tours for the day and "will work closely with authorities regarding our upcoming tours."

The Whitsunday Islands have a history of shark attacks -- a man died there last November, after he jumped into the water from his paddle board. Just months earlier, in September, two people were attacked by sharks in separate incidents in the same harbor within 24 hours, suffering injuries to their legs.

1. Always swim in a group.

2. Don’t wander too far from shore.

3. Avoid the water at night, dawn, or dusk.

4. Don’t enter the water if bleeding.

5. Don’t wear shiny jewelry.

6. Don’t go into waters containing sewage.

7. Avoid waters being fished and those with lots of bait fishes.

8. Don’t enter the water if sharks are present.

9. Avoid an uneven tan and brightly colored clothing.

10. Don’t splash a lot.

11. Use care near sandbars or steep drop-offs.

12. Don’t relax just because porpoises are nearby.

13. Don’t try to touch a shark if you see one.

14. If attacked by a shark, the general rule is “Do whatever it takes to get away.”