A 38-year-old surfer has died after a shark attack off the California coast.

It is the second fatal incident in two years at Surf Beach, Santa Barbara County.

The local sheriff’s department said the attack was witnessed by a friend of the victim, who swam to his aid and pulled him out of the water.

The friend started first aid while another surfer called for help, but the victim was pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene.

Sheriff’s officials said the type of shark involved in the attack and other details are still under investigation.

Surf Beach is located on Vandenberg Air Force Base but is accessible to the public.

Officials at Vandenberg advised people to stay away from the beach following Tuesday morning’s attack.

On 22 October 2010, surfer Lucas Ransom was attacked by a great white shark at the same beach and died from loss of blood.

A friend of the 19-year-old Santa Barbara college student who witnessed that attack said the shark was 18-20ft long.

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