Australian cops have mercy on shark attack victim

A traffic patrol officer who pulled over a car on Australia's west coast let the driver off a speeding ticket after he learned a passenger aboard was a bleeding shark-attack victim.

The 26-year-old was bitten Saturday by a hammerhead shark while diving at Legendre Island, 40 kilometres north of Dampier, and was being rushed to hospital in Karratha.

He was later flown 1,544 kilometres from Karratha to Perth by the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

"The victim was in the passenger seat," a Western Australian Police spokeswoman said, noting that the injuries were serious enough for evacuation to Perth but were not considered life-threatening.

She confirmed that no speeding ticket was issued.