A popular swimming spot in Sydney’s National Park has been closed after a brutal shark attack has left a young boy fighting for his life.

Ambulance and police car at scene of shark attack in Nielsen Park Shark Beach in Sydney Australia which left 12 year old boy with critical injuries.

A 12 year old boy was attacked by shark, prompting a huge emergency response(Image: Sky News)

Beachgoers in Sydney Harbour have been told to avoid an area known as ‘Shark Beach’ after a child was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries following a shark attack.

New South Wales police have advised locals and tourists to stay clear of the popular swimming spot in Nielsen Park, Vaucluse following the serious incident which has left a young boy fighting for his life.

In a statement they said: “The beach has been closed and swimmers are advised to avoid swimming in the water at this time.”

They added: ” Swimmers are advised to avoid entering nearby waters,” revealing that a young boy is now in critical condition after suffering “injuries consistent with what is believed to have been a large shark”.Ambulance and police tent on the road as emergency service workers provide care to young boy attacked by shark on a beach in Sydney

The public have been warned against swimming at Shark Beach after a boy was attacked by a shark(Image: Sky News)

Nielsen Park’s ‘Shark Beach’ is a popular, family-friendly coastal destination and offers an area protected by netting for visitors to explore the water safely without the threat of sharks.

Prior to the incident, it is believed the boy was jumping off rocks at one end of the beach outside of the netted area before being ambushed by the shark at about 4:20pm on Sunday.

Last year, the Nielsen Park faced delays when installing the seasonal shark netting which is placed in the water during the warmer Australian summer months to deter the predators from areas open to the public. It was successfully completed in early December making the area inside the net safe.

Image of a great white shark with jaws wide open

View 4 Images

Nielsen Park beach has a netted area for visitors to swim in protecting it from sharks who populate the waters in warmer months(Image: Getty Images)

The boy, who is believed to be around 12 years old, was reportedly recused from the water near Nielsen Park, Vaucluse by police after reports from the public that he was being set upon by the animal. Photos of the scene show a large emergency response.

The youngster, who suffered server trauma to his legs, received immediate medical treatment onboard a New South Wales Water Police vessel before being taken to Rose Bay West Boat Ramp about 7km east of Australia’s Central Business District.

Once out of the water, New South Wales Ambulance paramedics then provided care, including two medical tourniquets used to help stop serious and life-threatening bleeding to the limbs.

The boy was then airlifted by intensive care helicopter to Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick where he is currently being treated for his injuries.

Ambulance at the scene of shark attack in Sydney's Nielsen Park Shark Beach.

View 4 Images

A huge emergency response was coordinated after the 12 year old was left with life-threatening injuries(Image: Sky News)

It is not yet clear when the area will be reopened but for now, the public are being advised to steer clear of the potentially shark infested waters.